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Eligibility

Eligibility

  • The U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid usually emails this to the student within 1-3 business days after submitting a FAFSA. Also, students can check the FAFSA Submission Summary at studentaid.gov.
  • To receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, students must:
    • Graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma, a certificate of completion, or achieved  a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after (proof of high school completion is required). 
    • File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Completed (submitted, completed, and verified).
    • Demonstrate financial need by having an SAI of $30,000 or less. 
    • Not be in default on a Federal student loan.
    • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee. 
    • Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
    • For dependent students, parent must also be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the 
    • previous calendar year. 
    • Be an undergraduate student.
    • Enroll as an undergraduate student at an eligible institution within 15 months of high school graduation or earning a high school equivalency certificate.
    • Be enrolled full-time as determined by the participating institution.
    • Be attending an eligible Michigan postsecondary institution.
    • Be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
     
  • The Community College Guarantee falls under the umbrella of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. It provides opportunities for students to earn their degree or skills certificate here in Michigan.
  • If your family has special circumstances that do not accurately reflect the current financial situation of your family, then you should reach out to your college’s financial aid office to discuss the possibility of a re-evaluation. Please note that the timeline for this process can vary by institution.
  • Online high school experiences resulting in a diploma or high school equivalency are accepted only if they are based in Michigan. Several popular online schools, such as Penn Foster are not considered as eligible Michigan Institutions for Michigan Achievement Scholarship programs. Be sure to confirm with your college or university that your online school will be accepted.
  • SAI is available on the FAFSA Submission Summary. This can be found by logging into studentaid.gov, select the processed FAFSA submission, choose “View FAFSA Submission Summary”, lastly select the “Eligibility Overview” tab.
  • Students must have a complete and verified (if applicable) FAFSA to be eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship or the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee.
  • As long as the student continues to meet the Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements, funding does not stop once they earn an associates degree or certificate.
  • To receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, there is no GPA requirement.
  • Yes! If the student is within their time limit to receive the scholarship and meet the additional scholarship requirements, the student is still eligible.
  • There is no deadline. Students must complete the current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered. However, students must enroll at an eligible institution within 15 months of high school graduation or earning a high school equivalency certificate.
    • Class of 2023 spring graduates: Must enroll by Fall semester 2024. 
    • Class of 2024 spring graduates: Must enroll by Fall semester 2025. 
    • If you graduated at a different time of year, and are concerned about initiating in time, contact your college’s financial aid office. 
  • The Michigan Achievement Scholarship does not have a separate application. Simply complete the FAFSA and once it is received by MI Student Aid, we will determine a students eligibility. Students can check their eligibility online through the MiSSG student portal.
  • Yes, students who graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma, certificate of completion, or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after may be eligible.
  • Dual Enrolled or Early Middle College students must graduate from a high school in Michigan with a diploma, certificate of completion, or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after, before they can be considered eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship/Community College Guarantee. Students can earn more than one Associate Degree or Certificate.
  • Home-schooled students may be eligible if the institution accepts the home-school documents as proof of Michigan high school completion in 2023 or after.
  • Yes, through the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship at an eligible career training program. To learn more about this program, visit michigan.gov/careertraining.
  • Yes, students must meet all eligibility requirements for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and the following: 
    • Credits earned at the students institution will be transferred and applied to a certificate or degree at their home institution, and
    • They are currently enrolled in a degree-granting or certification program at their home institution, and
    • Be an approved Guest Student as determined by the institution, and
    • Be enrolled full-time at their guest institution

     

  • No, students must attend a Michigan participating institution.
  • Yes, students may transfer from a Community College to a University. Students may be eligible to receive Michigan Achievement Scholarship for up to five consecutive years total, with no more than three years at a Michigan community college and tribal college.
  • Students may be eligible to receive both Tuition Incentive Program and Michigan Achievement Scholarship at the same time up to the allowable expenses.
  • Visit the Federal Student Aid resource for clarification.
  • Yes, students who graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma, certificate of completion, or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after may be eligible regardless of age.
  • No, we strongly encourage everyone to complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for Michigan Achievement Scholarship.
  • There is no age requirement as long as you are a graduate from a Michigan high school with a diploma, certificate of completion, or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after. Students must enroll at an eligible institution within 15 months of high school graduation or earning a high school equivalency certificate.
  • Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is an index number used to determine your eligibility for federal student financial aid. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
    • If you are a dependent student, your parent must also be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
  • Class of 2025 graduates can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting December 1, 2024.