Does the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee retroactively pay for the Academic Year 2023-24?

No, the new requirements are effective for Academic Year 2024-25.

Am I eligible for the Community College Guarantee?

To receive the Community College Guarantee, 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). 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).

Am I eligible to receive Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee if I’m an Out-of-District student?

Yes, you are eligible to receive up to the In-District rate. Your institution will calculate the amount you are able to receive. Take a look at our In-District or Out-of-District video .

Are the Community College Guarantee and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship different?

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.

For the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee, can I receive the scholarship for more than two semesters?

Students may receive Community College Guarantee for every semester they meet eligibility requirements, for a maximum of 3 years at a community college.

I am a 2024 Michigan high school graduate and completed the FAFSA, but my contributors are not willing to provide their information for the FAFSA. Am I still eligible?

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.

If I graduated high school in 2023 and wasn't eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship due to not meeting the EFC/SAI requirement, will I be eligible to receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship at a Community College beginning in Fall 2024?

Yes, if you meet the Eligiblity Requirements you can be considered for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship at a Community College in the Fall 2024 semester.

If my student attends a community college for two years and earns their associate degree, are they still eligible to receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship when they transfer and move on to a four-year college/university to finish a bachelors degree? Or does the funding stop once you have a degree?

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.

Is there a GPA requirement to receive or keep the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?

To receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, there is no GPA requirement.

My student was eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and attended a four-year university last year. However, this year, they are transferring to a community college for the new school year. Are they still eligible for the Community College Guarantee?

Yes! If the student is within their time limit to receive the scholarship and meet the additional scholarship requirements, the student is still eligible.

We live in a county that does not have a community college and thus, no matter where my student attends, we are considered out-of-district. Do we still qualify for the Community College Guarantee?

Yes, you still qualify for the Community College Guarantee. The Community College Guarantee pays for the cost of tuition at an in-district rate. If you are considered an out-of-district student, Community College Guarantee will still pay for a portion of your tuition and fees. Example: A student is enrolled full time at their local Michigan community college, but is considered an out-of-district student. The out-of-district tuition rate is $150 per credit hour and the in-district rate is $100 per credit hour. The Community College Guarantee will pay for the student’s tuition and fees at $100 per credit hour and the student would be responsible for paying the difference ($50 per credit hour).

What is the deadline to apply for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?

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.

When do I have to start college by to qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee?

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.

Where can I find the application for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?

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.

Are Dual Enrollment or Early Middle College (EMC) students 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.

Are home-schooled students eligible for this program?

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.

Can a student attend a career or trade program and receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?

Yes, through the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship at an eligible career training program. To learn more about this program, visit michigan.gov/careertraining .

Can a student who attends an out-of-state institution use the Michigan Achievement Scholarship in Michigan during the summer?

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

Can Michigan Achievement Scholarship be used at an out-of-state institution?

No, students must attend a Michigan participating institution.

Can students transfer from a Community College to a University?

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.

Can a student use the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) and Michigan Achievement Scholarship at the same time?

Students may be eligible to receive both Tuition Incentive Program and Michigan Achievement Scholarship at the same time up to the allowable expenses.

Do you have to include a step-parent's information on the FAFSA?

Visit the Federal Student Aid resource for clarification.

Does an adult or alternative education student who is over the age 18 qualify?

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.

Is there an age requirement to receive the 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.

What is the Michigan residency requirement?

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.

Eligibility

Does the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee retroactively pay for the Academic Year 2023-24?

No, the new requirements are effective for Academic Year 2024-25.
Am I eligible for the Community College Guarantee?
To receive the Community College Guarantee, 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).

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).
Am I eligible to receive Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee if I’m an Out-of-District student?

Yes, you are eligible to receive up to the In-District rate. Your institution will calculate the amount you are able to receive.

Take a look at our In-District or Out-of-District video.
Are the Community College Guarantee and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship different?

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.
For the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee, can I receive the scholarship for more than two semesters?

Students may receive Community College Guarantee for every semester they meet eligibility requirements, for a maximum of 3 years at a community college.
I am a 2024 Michigan high school graduate and completed the FAFSA, but my contributors are not willing to provide their information for the FAFSA. Am I still eligible?

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.
If I graduated high school in 2023 and wasn't eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship due to not meeting the EFC/SAI requirement, will I be eligible to receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship at a Community College beginning in Fall 2024?

Yes, if you meet the Eligiblity Requirements you can be considered for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship at a Community College in the Fall 2024 semester.
If my student attends a community college for two years and earns their associate degree, are they still eligible to receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship when they transfer and move on to a four-year college/university to finish a bachelors degree? Or does the funding stop once you have a degree?

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.
Is there a GPA requirement to receive or keep the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?

To receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, there is no GPA requirement.
My student was eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and attended a four-year university last year. However, this year, they are transferring to a community college for the new school year. Are they still eligible for the Community College Guarantee?

Yes! If the student is within their time limit to receive the scholarship and meet the additional scholarship requirements, the student is still eligible.
We live in a county that does not have a community college and thus, no matter where my student attends, we are considered out-of-district. Do we still qualify for the Community College Guarantee?

Yes, you still qualify for the Community College Guarantee. The Community College Guarantee pays for the cost of tuition at an in-district rate. If you are considered an out-of-district student, Community College Guarantee will still pay for a portion of your tuition and fees.

Example:

A student is enrolled full time at their local Michigan community college, but is considered an out-of-district student. The out-of-district tuition rate is $150 per credit hour and the in-district rate is $100 per credit hour. The Community College Guarantee will pay for the student’s tuition and fees at $100 per credit hour and the student would be responsible for paying the difference ($50 per credit hour).
What is the deadline to apply for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?

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.
When do I have to start college by to qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee?
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.
Where can I find the application for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?

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.
Are Dual Enrollment or Early Middle College (EMC) students 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.
Are home-schooled students eligible for this program?

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.
Can a student attend a career or trade program and receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?

Yes, through the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship at an eligible career training program. To learn more about this program, visit michigan.gov/careertraining.
Can a student who attends an out-of-state institution use the Michigan Achievement Scholarship in Michigan during the summer?
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
Can Michigan Achievement Scholarship be used at an out-of-state institution?

No, students must attend a Michigan participating institution.
Can students transfer from a Community College to a University?

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.
Can a student use the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) and Michigan Achievement Scholarship at the same time?

Students may be eligible to receive both Tuition Incentive Program and Michigan Achievement Scholarship at the same time up to the allowable expenses.
Do you have to include a step-parent's information on the FAFSA?

Visit the Federal Student Aid resource for clarification.
Does an adult or alternative education student who is over the age 18 qualify?

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.
Is there an age requirement to receive the 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.
What is the Michigan residency requirement?
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.

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