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Eligibility
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What are the eligibility requirements for the MI Future Educator Fellowship?
- 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.
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How do I apply to the MI Future Educator Fellowship?
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Create a portal account on the MiSSG Student Portal.
- Complete the 2024-25 application in your MiSSG Student Portal for MI Future Educator Fellowship by July 15, 2025.
- Institutions will be contacted to confirm student eligibility.
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What’s the deadline to apply?
Students must apply and meet all requirements for an award prior to the final payment of the academic year. The 2024-25 application deadline is June 15, 2025.
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I live in Michigan, but my parents relocated to another state. Am I eligible?
If you are an independent student as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, you may be eligible if you have been a Michigan resident since July 1 of the preceding year.
If you are a dependent student as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, you will not be eligible if your parent(s) did not reside in Michigan since July 1 of the preceding year.
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I’m from Michigan, but I attend a college out of state. Am I eligible?No, the MI Future Educator Fellowship is only available to students at Michigan colleges and universities.
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I am planning to complete my Educator Preparation Program in Michigan, but I am not a Michigan resident, am I eligible?
No, you must have been 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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I attend a private college. Am I eligible to receive fellowship assistance?
Yes, all programs approved by the Michigan Department of Education on the Educator Preparation Provider list are eligible. This includes programs at both public and private colleges and universities.
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Can I receive the MI Future Educator Fellowship during the summer?Yes, but only if you have not already received your $10,000 maximum annual award this year, and you are enrolled full-time.
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Can I receive the MI Future Educator Fellowship if I already have my bachelor's degree?Yes, but only if you have not received an initial teacher certification.
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If I am already admitted into an Educator Preparation Program, am I eligible for the MI Future Educator Fellowship?
Students must only be admitted into an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to qualify for an award.
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My institution is not on the Educator Preparation Program list, what do I do?
If your institution is not on the Educator Preparation Program list you are not eligible for a MI Future Educator Fellowship award.
Michigan Department of Education does not have statutory or regulatory authority to review and approve programs offered by out-of-state colleges and universities, and has been under a moratorium on reviewing and approving new providers since 2005. For more information, visit Offering New Educator Preparation Programs in Michigan.
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What is an Educator Preparation Program or EPP?
An Educator Preparation Program is the formal name for an educational program which leads to teacher certification. The Michigan Department of Education authorizes the Educator Preparation Programs. An EPP is more commonly known as the Teacher Education program. Students must be accepted into their Educator Preparation Program before applying for the MI Future Educator Fellowship.