Skip to main content

MI Future Educator Fellowship

A teacher sitting with students at a table.

MI Future Educator Fellowship

The MI Future Educator Fellowship will offer $10,000 scholarship to up to 2,500 future educators every year.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, the student must:

  • Complete the annual MI Future Educator Fellowship application.
  • File a current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Be a high school graduate.
  • Be admitted into an eligible Educator Preparation Program (EPP) approved by Michigan’s State Board of Education.
  • Be working on their initial teacher certification.
  • Be enrolled in enough coursework to be considered enrolled full-time during the academic year, or its equivalency for individuals enrolled in an alternative certification program.
  • Have reached Junior grade level according to the institution’s definition.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
    • If you are a dependent student, your parent on your FAFSA must also be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
  • Complete a Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement, which requires that the recipient teach in Michigan in a public school or qualifying public preschool program for a specific number of years, depending on the number of years the recipient has received the MI Future Educator Fellowship. This will be issued to applicants when the institution confirms eligibility.

Ready to apply? Follow these steps:

Apply Now

Already applied? These are the next steps in the process:

  • Institutions confirm student eligibility
  • Complete Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement
  • Institutions request reimbursement from the State of Michigan
  • Payments are made to institutions

MI Future Educator Fellowship Full Process

Students throwing their caps at graduation.

Renewal Requirements

Fellowship is renewable for up to three years. For a 2023-24 renewal award, the student must:

  • Complete the annual MI Future Educator Fellowship application.
  • File a current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Have earned at least 24 credit hours in the 2022-23 Academic Year or the equivalent of full-time participation for individuals enrolled in an alternative certification program. ‘Alternative Certification Program’ is defined by the Michigan Department of Education as an approved Michigan alternative route program or an approved post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program for which full-time enrollment is less than 24 credits in an academic year. Be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Maintain Michigan residency
  • Complete a Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement, which requires that the recipient teach in Michigan in a public school or qualifying public preschool program for a specific number of years, depending on the number of years the recipient has received the MI Future Educator Fellowship.

Commitment to Teach in Michigan

When a student receives this award, they agree to work in Michigan classrooms.

  • If you receive one year of funding from the MI Future Educator Fellowship you agree to work as a certified teacher in a public or public preschool program in Michigan for three years.
  • If you receive two years of funding from the MI Future Educator Fellowship you agree to work as a certified teacher in a public or public preschool program in Michigan for four years.
  • If you receive three years of funding from the MI Future Educator Fellowship you agree to work as a certified teacher in a public or public preschool program in Michigan for five years.
  • If you teach in a critical needs district your service obligation may be less.

If a student does not meet this service obligation requirement and/or does not finish the teacher certification program, the fellowship converts to a 0% interest rate loan with a repayment term of 10 years, plus any deferment period as determined and approved by the Michigan Department of Treasury.

A teacher with her students around a table.

Award Amount:

$10,000 per year or the cost of tuition at the in-district, resident rate + required fees per year, whichever is less. Other tuition specific aid may reduce this award.

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? We may have the answer!

Digital Toolkit
Help us spread the word and share this with students and families.

Fact Sheet

Find the program details for financial aid professionals.

Beca de investigación para educadores de MI Future

MI Future Educator منحة

Sign-up for Email Updates
Be the first to hear about program updates.

Authority

Public Act 103 of 2023