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Eligibility

Eligibility

  • No, the new requirements are effective for Academic Year 2024-25.
  • 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).
  • Yes, you are eligible to receive up to the In-District rate. Your institution will calculate the amount you are able to receive.
  • 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.
  • Students may receive Community College Guarantee for every semester they meet eligibility requirements, for a maximum of 3 years at a community college.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.