New MiLEAP Report Highlights Growing Access to Higher Education with $575M in Scholarships Awarded to Nearly 156,000 Students

Vision and Impact Report showcases record growth in advancing affordability, student success and workforce alignment

LANSING, Mich. – Nearly 156,000 Michiganders are accessing $575.6 million in financial aid across 16 programs as Michigan continues making progress toward its Sixty by 30 goal, according to a new report released today by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s (MiLEAP) Office of Higher Education (OHE). 

The Vision & Impact Report highlights measurable outcomes across affordability, outreach and engagement, student success and workforce alignment—illustrating how coordinated state investment and partnerships are helping create stronger pathways to postsecondary success for students across Michigan. 

“Postsecondary attainment remains one of the clearest pathways to opportunity for Michiganders,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “When financial barriers are reduced, information is clearer and students have stronger systems of support, more Michiganders can see opportunity for themselves and move towards achieving their goals. This is about helping all students – no matter their income, geography or circumstance – thrive while strengthening families, communities and Michigan’s talent pipeline.” 

The report provides a statewide snapshot of progress across state financial aid programs and initiatives designed to support postsecondary credential attainment and student success, including: 

• More than 110,000 students statewide receiving $740 million in support through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which significantly lowers costs for recent high school graduates pursuing a range of postsecondary education opportunities, including career training, an associate degree through the Community College Guarantee, since 2023. 
• State-funded financial aid access for Michigan undergraduate students more than doubling, increasing from 13.4% before the pandemic to 28.4%. 
• More than 94,000 adult learners reengaged through Michigan Reconnect, which helps adults ages 25 and older earn tuition-free credentials at their local community college. 
• Michigan achieving Top 20 status nationally for FAFSA completion. 
• Engaging 60 colleges and universities in building new pathways for transfer student success. 

Together, these outcomes reflect OHE’s continued efforts to expand opportunity, reduce barriers and strengthen alignment between postsecondary pathways and workforce needs. 

OHE serves as a vital connector across Michigan’s decentralized postsecondary education system, advancing coordination, shared strategy and support across institutions, partners and communities to help more learners access the support they need to succeed.

“No two students follow the same path, and barriers can emerge at different points along the way,” said Sarah Szurpicki, deputy director of MiLEAP’s Office of Higher Education. “We are constantly innovating and pushing ourselves to better understand the student journey and solve problems along the way, wherever we can. This work is about identifying barriers and strengthening the systems and supports that help more students continue moving toward their goals while maximizing impact for students in everything we do.” 

This work is increasingly important as Michigan continues preparing for growing talent demands across the state. 

With 42 of Michigan’s top 50 high-wage, high-demand jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher, helping more Michiganders access and complete postsecondary credentials that lead to in-demand careers remains essential to meeting Michigan’s workforce needs.  

The report underscores how coordinated statewide efforts to expand access, improve affordability and support student success are helping more Michiganders pursue meaningful careers and lifelong opportunity. 

Read the OHE Vision & Impact Report. 

View the OHE Vision & Impact Snapshot. 

Visit the OHE Vision & Impact website. 

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About MiLEAP: 

Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from birth to postsecondary so anyone can ‘make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.