High school seniors who are Michigan residents, but attend school outside of Michigan , are eligible to take the state's Michigan Merit Exam (MME) this fall and qualify for the $4,000 Michigan Promise Scholarship.

Students need to contact the Michigan Department of Education by September 21, 2007 to register for the October 27 and November 3 testing dates. They can call the Department toll-free at 877-560-8378.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm this summer signed into law Public Act 42, which amends the Michigan Promise Scholarship law to include students who, for example, attend high school in Toledo but live in Michigan , or children of Michigan residents serving on active military duty outside of the state.

“We want all our young people to be able to go to college or get technical training, and that includes Michigan students who happen to go to high schools outside our borders,” Granholm said.

When the Michigan Merit Award was replaced by the enhanced Michigan Promise Scholarship, the change prevented out-of-state students from earning the award by limiting it to only residents who graduate from a Michigan high school.

"We applaud the Governor and Legislature for expanding the opportunity for Michigan ’s vital scholarship program," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan.

Students who are Michigan residents yet attend high school outside Michigan can visit the Michigan Department of Education website (www.michigan.gov/mme) for more information.

The fall re-testing period is for seniors only; juniors test in spring 2008 along with any seniors who still need to test or re-test.