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Test Fee Reimbursement Grant Program

Program Update for Tests Taken After September 30, 2025

The MTTC Test Fee Reimbursement Grant Program was not included in the State’s budget for fiscal year 2026. As a result, tests taken on or after October 1, 2025 are not eligible for reimbursement.

Please note:

  • Tests eligible for reimbursement as described in the Program Guidelines section on this page will continue to be reimbursable until funds are exhausted.
  • In-state candidates seeking financial assistance may choose to request assistance from their college, university, or alternative route provider; however, ability to offer financial assistance varies by provider and is not guaranteed to be available to all candidates.
  • Out-of-state candidates seeking financial assistance may choose to request assistance from the organization that provided educator preparation (e.g., college, university).
  • MTTC vouchers can be purchased by schools, districts, colleges, universities, alternative route providers, or any other organization or individual wishing to provide financial assistance to candidates.

Program Update for Tests Taken October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025

  • Funds for eligible tests taken during the 2025-26 academic year are still available. Due to the change in fiscal year which occurred on October 1, 2025, applications are not currently accessible to candidates.
  • Candidates who are eligible for the grant but are currently unable to access their applications should monitor their application portal in MyAccount (see FAQ below for details on how to access and manage applications).

Program Guidelines

Public Act 121 of 2024 Article 3, Section 1104 appropriated $1,100,000 for grants to reimburse eligible applicants who take a required Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) test for the first time during the 2024-25 academic year. To be eligible for reimbursement, test-takers must meet one of the following conditions:

  • They were not a certified teacher in any state and took a required subject area MTTC for the first time.
  • They were a certified teacher in another state and took a required MTTC for the first time.
  • They were a Michigan certified teacher and took a required MTTC for the first time.

MDE will reimburse eligible test-takers until the $1,100,000 appropriation has been exhausted.

Application Process and Materials

  • Pearson, the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) contracted vendor for the MTTC program, has contacted eligible test-takers via email shortly after the completed test appointment to notify them of their eligibility status and has invited them to complete a brief grant application.
  • These emails were sent to the address used for test registration. Emails were sent one time.
  • Pearson will process reimbursements directly to test-takers using their original form of payment.
  • Eligible test-takers should allow up to six weeks from the grant application date for processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Grant applications can be viewed and managed through your MTTC account. Log into your account through http://mttc.nesinc.com, choose “My Account,” and select “Test Fee Reimbursement Grant Application.” From there, you can view and manage your application(s).

  • The 2024-25 academic year began October 1, 2024 and ran through September 30, 2025.

  • Pearson contacted all eligible test-takers, notifying them of their opportunity to apply for the grant. If you believe you are eligible but did not receive an email from Pearson within 5 business days of completing your test, read through the eligibility criteria (above) to confirm your specific case. If you still believe you are eligible and did not receive an email from Pearson, please contact Bridgett McDowell, Education Assessment Specialist, at McDowellB@Michigan.gov.

  • Eligible test-takers should apply as soon as possible. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. MDE cannot fund grant applications received after September 30, 2025 or after the funds have been exhausted - whichever occurs first.

  • Grant applications can be viewed and managed through your MTTC account. Log into your account through http://mttc.nesinc.com, choose “My Account,” and select “Test Fee Reimbursement Grant Application.” From there, you can view and manage your application(s).

  • Please refer to MDE’s MTTC website for advice on which test(s) to take and when, as well as other frequently asked questions. On that page, candidates will also find important information about test registration, study materials, preparation webinars, alternative testing arrangements, and the MTTC five-year validity and retesting policy.

  • No. Only testing between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025 is eligible for reimbursement. However, if you need to take an MTTC for a test field that is different from any previous MTTC test you’ve taken, you could be eligible. For example, while you would not be eligible for grant funds to retake MI103, you may be eligible for Mathematics (Elementary) (MI089) if that was the first time you have taken that specific test.

  • The grant requires eligible applicants to be reimbursed for their test fees; therefore, you must pay for and take the test to be eligible.

  • No.

  • Candidates who cannot keep their test appointment should follow the Reschedule Policy and Cancellation Policy described in their appointment confirmation email. These policies include processes for emergency situations that require candidates to cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice. Do not show up for a test appointment if you are unwell.

    There are options candidates can exercise to cancel or reschedule appointments, even with short notice. Candidates who do not show for their tests will not be eligible for reimbursement through the grant.

  • Grant money will be processed as a reimbursement from Pearson, using your original form of payment. Please allow up to six weeks from your grant application date for processing.

  • No. Vouchers are not eligible for reimbursement because the test fee was not paid by the candidate. Eligible applicants can be reimbursed for the portion of test fees they paid excluding the voucher. For example, an applicant who applied a $59 voucher to a $129 test fee, paying the rest out-of-pocket, is eligible for the out-of-pocket cost ($70).

  • Yes. Simply choose “decline” in the grant application.

Contact Information

For further inquiries about MTTC testing, please contact Bridgett McDowell, Education Assessment Specialist, at McDowellB@Michigan.gov.