The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is excited to offer Universal FAFSA Challenge Grants to support districts in adopting a local universal FAFSA policy and implementing FAFSA completion support in their high schools and local communities.
MiLEAP recognizes how critical it is for prospective college students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The FAFSA is needed to access federal scholarships and loans and is required for students to receive up to $27,500 through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship—including pathway to earn a skill certificate or associate degree tuition-free at their local community college through the Community College Guarantee.
In the 2023-2024 school year, 47 percent of high school seniors completed the FAFSA. We can do better!
A dozen states across the country have adopted universal FAFSA completion policies with supports for students, families, and high schools. These policies require students to complete the FAFSA before high school graduation (while allowing for student exemptions in some circumstances). We’re seeing early evidence this strategy is working. Early adopters have seen increases in FAFSA completion, high school graduation, and college going. Learn more about other states’ policies from the National College Attainment Network.
The Universal FAFSA Challenge Grant application will be available no later than November 1, 2024.
The application will close on December 1, 2024.
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The Universal FAFSA Challenge Grant is available to local educational agencies in Michigan including:
To receive an award, districts must submit an application to MiLEAP certifying the district will:
The Legislature has appropriated $10 million for the Universal FAFSA Challenge. Qualifying districts will receive their share of this appropriation no later than January 31, 2025.
Awards will be calculated based on the total number of 12th grade students at qualifying districts. Each qualifying district will receive an equal amount per 12th grade student.
Note: In previous years, the per pupil grant award was capped. This year, there is not a cap. Award amounts per student will depend on the total 12th grade enrollment (as provided and verified by the Center for Educational Performance and Information) at qualifying districts.
Districts must certify that they will update the district’s graduation requirements to include FAFSA completion—unless a student qualifies for an eligible exemption.
A school administrator of the student’s high school must demonstrate to the district board that good-faith efforts have been made to assist the student or the student’s parent/legal guardian in completing the FAFSA or obtaining a parental waiver.
A district shall exempt a student from the requirement to complete the FAFSA if any of the following are met:
Qualifying districts must use their grant award on evidence-based strategies to improve FAFSA completion. MiLEAP has partnered with the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), to share the following strategies and resources that are known to drive FAFSA completion rates.
For questions and support regarding the Universal FAFSA Challenge Grant, contact the MiLEAP Office of Higher Education:
Emily Hurtado-Arboleda
High School Services Coordinator
MI Student Aid
mistudentaid@michigan.gov
888-447-2687
To request technical assistance designing a strategy to improve FAFSA completion or determining if your current strategy qualifies for funding, contact the Michigan College Access Network:
Jeneen Hatoum
Director of High School Innovation
Michigan College Access Network
jeneen@micollegeaccess.org
517-316-1713
Sec. 67f of Public Act 120 of 2024
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®.
