MI Student Aid promotes the FAFSA, a new federal financial aid application that expands scholarship and grant opportunities for Michigan students and simplifies application processes.The Biden administration’s improvements include widening eligibility for financial aid for low- and middle-income students, reducing the amount of questions on the FAFSA form, and making it easier to integrate financial information.
According to U.S. Department of Education data, around 20,000 additional students in Michigan are likely to be eligible for Pell Grants, with over 38,000 receiving the maximum amount.
According to Michelle Richard, acting director of MiLEAP, a typical obstacle to filling out the FAFSA is the belief that one is ineligible for financial help, which is not true. “The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is a significant game changer. Everyone should fill out the FAFSA to see if they are eligible for it or other scholarships, grants, or aid.
The FAFSA now takes less than an hour to complete and determine eligibility for scholarships like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which offers up to $27,500 for college.
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship offers scholarships to undergraduate students graduating from high school in Michigan with a diploma, certificate of completion, or high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or later. To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students must be enrolled in an eligible Michigan postsecondary institution and demonstrate financial need.
Governor Whitmer established the Michigan Achievement Scholarship to reduce college costs and advance the state’s 60 by 30 objective. The scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and incoming freshmen.
This award builds on Governor Whitmer’s efforts to reduce college costs through scholarships such as Michigan Reconnect, Futures for Frontliners, and the Mi Future Educator Fellowship. These efforts bring Michigan closer to achieving its Sixty by 30 objective of 60% adults holding a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.
Students may be awarded up to:
- $2,750 if they attend a Michigan community college, per year, up to three years.
- $4,000 if they attend a Michigan private college or university, per year, up to five years.
- $5,500 if they attend a Michigan public university or are enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at a Michigan community college, per year, up to five years.
According to Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the Michigan College Access Network, applying for financial aid can be a confusing and intimidating process. “The new and better FAFSA, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Michigan Reconnect program are all laudable initiatives that have combined to create an easier pathway to an affordable college education.”
Students and families can complete the FAFSA by visiting studentaid.gov.
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Amy Robinson
ARobinson@brgcommunications.com
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