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MI Future Educator Fellowship

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MI Future Educator Fellowship

The MI Future Educator Fellowship offers $10,000 scholarship to up to 2,500 future educators every year who are admitted and enrolled in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) approved by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, the student must:

  • Complete the annual MI Future Educator Fellowship application by June 15, 2025.
  • 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 minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0.
  • 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.
    • The Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement must be e-signed no later than July 15, 2025.

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.
  • Processing for the 2024-25 Academic Year will begin September 1, 2024.

MI Future Educator Fellowship Full Process

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Renewal Requirements

Fellowship is renewable for up to three years.

For a renewal award, students must:

  • Complete the annual MI Future Educator Fellowship application.
  • File a current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Meet institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
  • Have a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (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.
  • In previous award period, a student must have maintained continuous full-time enrollment.
  • Have participated in relevant academic and career advising programs offered by the eligible education preparation program.

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.

All applicants who are confirmed as eligible by their institutions must sign a Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement. Confirmed students will receive a request to e-sign this document from OneSpan, Michigan’s e-signature solution. Students are encouraged to check their junk mail or spam for this request and should sign as quickly as possible once the Confirmation of Eligibility step is completed by the institution, as all awards are subject to available funds. The final date to sign the current year Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement is July 15, 2025.

A teacher with her students around a table.

Program Limits

Students may receive assistance for up to three academic years and a total of $30,000. Future awards are subject to available and approved funding.

Participating Institutions

Michigan public degree-granting community college, public university; or Michigan private or independent, degree-granting non-profit institution who offer an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) approved by Michigan’s State Board of Education.

Award Amount:

Awards are restricted to tuition and required fees and pay up to a maximum of $10,000 per academic year at participating institutions. It is the responsibility of the financial aid office to coordinate all sources of aid for which a student may be eligible. Other gift aid may reduce or cancel this award.

Additional Resources

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Participating Institutions

Authority

Public Act 120 of 2024