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September 11, 2025
Milestone highlights MiLEAP’s role in boosting FAFSA completion through innovative outreach, partnerships and direct support to students and families
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) announced today that 65,543 students from Michigan’s Class of 2025—representing 55.4% of graduates—have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as of Sept. 8, 2025. This surpasses last year’s total at the same point (58,717 students, or 50.1%) and already exceeds the final number for the Class of 2024 (59,335 students, or 50.6%), according to new data from the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN).
“This milestone is about more than numbers; it’s about futures,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “Completing the FAFSA unlocks scholarships and aid that make college and career training more affordable. With historic investments like Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and the Community College Guarantee, we are breaking down barriers and lifting every Michigander to reach their potential, because opportunity in Michigan should belong to all.”
This achievement reflects the state’s historic investments in scholarships and financial aid programs. It also highlights the work of MiLEAP’s team, who partnered with schools, counselors, and community organizations by attending college fairs and school presentations to provide direct outreach and guidance to students. Staff also hosted free, virtual webinars for students and families to answer questions and connect them with scholarship resources. Earlier this year, in partnership with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and MCAN, MiLEAP announced up to $50,000 awarded to 50 students through the “Ticket to Tuition” giveaway, which engaged over 21,000 students to complete the FAFSA. MiLEAP also launched a $10 million Universal FAFSA Challenge to incentivize school districts to integrate FAFSA completion into their high school graduation requirements.
“This milestone demonstrates the forward momentum we’re seeing across the state,” said Sarah Szurpicki, deputy director of the Office of Higher Education. “Each completed FAFSA represents a student taking a huge step toward securing the scholarships, grants, and support they need to pursue college, career training, and a brighter future.”
FAFSA completion is one of the strongest predictors of whether a student will pursue postsecondary education. Beyond immediate financial benefits, higher FAFSA completion rates also support Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal, ensuring more working-age adults earn a degree or credential by 2030. By surpassing last year’s total ahead of schedule, more Michigan graduates are now positioned to take advantage of financial resources that lower the cost of tuition, reduce reliance on loans, and open pathways to credentials that lead to high-demand, good-paying jobs.
“This year’s students are already ahead of where last year’s class finished, and it is rewarding to see students use the FAFSA to access state financial aid like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN. “FAFSA completion is one of the most critical steps in making college affordable and accessible, particularly for our first-generation, low income and students of color. These strong numbers reflect the hard work of schools, counselors, college advisers, community partners, and families across Michigan who are committed to supporting students’ futures.”
Completing the FAFSA is the gateway to a range of financial aid programs that make college and career training more affordable, including:
These efforts reinforce the state’s commitment to ensuring every student has the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to pursue their educational and career goals.
MiLEAP urges all students and families who have not yet completed the FAFSA to do so online by visiting FAFSA.gov or by submitting a paper form to claim financial aid that can make higher education and career training more affordable.
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