The Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB) performs state licensing regulatory duties as required by state laws and federal requirements.
Early learning and development program resources for all children, birth to age eight, especially those in highest need.
The MI Tri-Share Child Care Program is an innovative approach to increasing access to high-quality, affordable child care for working families while also helping employers retain talent and remove one major barrier to employment.
Michigan is one of 20 states selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to receive the Preschool Development B-5 renewal grant (PDG).
The PreK for All Initiative helps Michigan families save money while preparing the state’s youngest learners for kindergarten.
The Office of Education Partnerships at MiLEAP oversees the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council and the Every Child Reads Champions Council.
The Office of Family Partnerships coordinates and aligns a statewide system of family-school-community partnerships in support of positive developmental, health and academic outcomes, ensuring every learner in Michigan thrives.
You don’t have to be a pro to help your child build big skills. There are plenty of activities you and your child can do together during your day.
By 2030, 60% of working-age Michiganders will have a certificate or college degree. Michigan will be a talent leader — fueling the future workforce and providing opportunity for all.
The Michigan Legislature tasked MiLEAP’s Office of Higher Education (OHE) with partnering statewide to improve student transfer and credit acceptance. Through its Transfer Success Project, OHE advances student-centered outcomes using evidence-based strategies and meaningful cross-sector collaboration.
The Universal FAFSA Challenge supports districts in adopting a local universal FAFSA policy and implementing FAFSA completion support in their high schools and local communities.
The Office of Higher Education at MiLEAP convened a 15-member task force to examine how basic needs insecurity affects college students across Michigan. Their goal is to identify effective interventions and recommend policy changes that remove financial barriers to education.
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October 27, 2026
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan school districts and public school academies can apply beginning Oct. 27 for the third round of the Universal FAFSA Challenge, which provides funding to help schools make completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) an intentional part of preparing students for life after high school.
“Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps a student can take to unlock postsecondary opportunity,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, executive director of MiLEAP. “Through the Universal FAFSA Challenge, we are supporting schools as they build systems and supports that help students and families navigate the process and access the financial resources available to them.”
The $10 million Universal FAFSA Challenge provides funding to local school districts and public school academies to adopt FAFSA completion as a high school graduation requirement, with a simple opt-out provision for qualifying students. Participating schools can use the funding to implement evidence-based strategies that help students complete the FAFSA. In the previous round, participating districts received an average of $781.73 per 12th-grade student.
Participating districts must adopt their FAFSA completion policy by June 30, 2027. Districts and academies that received funding in the previous round are not eligible to apply again.
Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward accessing federal, state and institutional financial aid, including grants, scholarships and work-study opportunities. In Michigan, students may qualify for programs such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee, which help reduce the cost of college and career training.
MiLEAP will host informational webinars for schools interested in applying:
Applications open Oct. 27 and are due Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026. Eligible school districts and public school academies are encouraged to apply. For eligibility requirements, application details and more information about the Universal FAFSA Challenge, visit Universal FAFSA Challenge webpage.
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About MiLEAP:
Established by Gov. Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP ensures every Michigander has a path to prosperity from birth to earning a postsecondary credential that leads to high-wage careers. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.
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