Written by: Emily Hurtado-Arboleda, from our Partner in Education, MI Student Aid
The MI Student Aid team is focused on connecting with students and families, high school counselors, college access professionals, and others to increase awareness and access to State scholarship and grant programs.
In Academic Year 2023-24, the State provided more than $350 million in financial aid to Michigan college students. With your help, we can assist more students in identifying a path to postsecondary education and career success.
FAFSA: What High School Counselors Need to Know
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to connect to financial aid to help make college a reality. Data indicates that a senior who completes the FAFSA is 84% more likely to enroll in postsecondary education, and 90% of high school seniors who complete the FAFSA immediately enroll in postsecondary education programs. Currently, only 22% of high school seniors in Michigan have completed the FAFSA and only 42% have created an FSA ID to start the FAFSA. One important tool for high school counselors as they assist students in postsecondary preparation and planning, is the MiSSG High School Counselors Portal. Within the portal, high school counselors have the ability to view valuable student level data including FAFSA completion data and Michigan Achievement Scholarship Qualifying Students.
Now, more than ever, it is critical that schools and districts create FAFSA completion goals, establish partnerships, and spread awareness. Our MI Student Aid outreach representatives are assigned to various regions across the state to assist high school counselors, educators and others with informing students and their families about financial aid information and resources. As schools prioritize FAFSA completion, we encourage you explore the new Senior Playbook filled with resources to assist high school counselors in their FAFSA completion efforts. Each month has an assigned theme, and high schools will be receiving a box with physical materials to help highlight the FAFSA each month. We hope this will encourage more students to complete the FAFSA and create their postsecondary plan!
FAFSA: What Michigan Students Need to Know
MI Student Aid is working to ensure that all Michigan students are aware of financial aid available through the State of Michigan and the importance of FAFSA. The FAFSA is required for most State of Michigan financial aid programs, including the new Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Despite its name, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship has nothing to do with academic achievement, such as Grade Point Average (GPA), standardized test score, etc. And you may be surprised to hear that most students in the state of Michigan are eligible for this program. Whether it’s career training, earning a certificate or associate degree at a community college, or a bachelor’s degree at a 4-year public or private university, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship has a path for every grad. To find the path that’s right for you visit: Michigan.gov/Achievement. There are many ways to pay for college in Michigan and across multiple pathways, check out all state financial aid programs at: Michigan.gov/Mistudentaid. Don’t delay complete the FAFSA today!
How You Can Help Your High School Counselors
To support high school counselors and staff in their efforts to inform students about the financial aid process, programs and benefits available, including, eligibility for State financial aid programs, we ask that you consider taking the following steps.
- Complete and submit a 2024-25 Data Use Agreement (DUA).
This allows authorized users to access to our data management system, MiSSG. The DUA must be completed and submitted electronically via email to Mistudentaid@Michigan.gov by the authorizing principal/superintendent. The DUA can be submitted at any time and can be revised throughout the academic year. Student level data available in the MiSSG High School Counselors Portal includes:- FAFSA Completion Data
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship Qualifying Student Data
- Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) Qualifying Data
- CEPI Student Records
- Schedule an event with MI Student Aid. Last academic year, the MI Student Aid team provided over 300 outreach events statewide and connected with over 15,000 attendees! MI Student Aid is excited to connect with students and families at your school! To find the MI Student Aid regional representative assigned to your area, check out our regional map. And to learn more about the various outreach events offered by the MI Student Aid team or to request an event visit: Michigan.gov/Mistudentaid.
- Utilize our Digital Toolkit to help spread the word about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. High school counselors and staff can use different aspects of the toolkit as needed. Including, email blast language, social media posts, morning announcement scripts, newsletter language, etc. This offers high school counselors the opportunity to select what pieces of the toolkit are most helpful.
- Use our MI Student Aid publications to help inform students and families about the various scholarships and grants available through the State of Michigan.
MI Student Aid is committed to helping students and families statewide understand and access State financial aid. We look forward to partnering with high school staff to bring important resources to your school, increase awareness about State financial aid programs, and help students reach their educational goals!
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is not affiliated with National Merit Scholarship Corporation or its registered trademarks National Achievement®, Achievement Scholarship®, or Achievement Scholar®.