Hey Michiganders! There’s some great news for recent high school graduates. This fall, Michigan’s School Aid Budget is including a ‘Community College Guarantee’, which will offer tuition-free access to community college! Wondering how it works and who’s eligible? Let’s break it down.
The ‘Community College Guarantee’ is designed to support students like Alivia Jaros from Canton, an incoming freshman at a local college. When told she’s now entitled to tuition and fee coverage, she reacted with disbelief, saying, “Really?! I had no clue.” She added, “This is huge. This is really huge because I had to pay for my college. So, I’m really happy.”
The guarantee will also benefit students like Marshall Thore, a sophomore currently handling work and studies alike. On hearing the news, he responded positively, “Good! I don’t have to work as overmuch during the school year. I can just focus on my studies and my sports.”
So what does this ‘Community College Guarantee’ actually cover?
Beginning in the fall of 2024, the scholarship will cover tuition and fees for a degree or skills certificate from any in-district community or tribal college. Furthermore, Pell Grant-eligible students can look forward to a $1,000 Michigan Achievement Bonus award that can be utilized for additional costs.
Okay, sounds great. But who’s eligible?
Eligibility is largely based on a few criteria:
- Must be a Michigan High School graduate – 2023 & beyond
- Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Must have been a Michigan resident since July 1 of the preceding year
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee
- Must enroll in college full-time within 15 months of graduation
Remember that students will need to select their “in-district” community college as their No. 1 school on the FAFSA. Some of you also enquired -“Can we get reimbursed for what we paid already?” For 2023 and 2024 graduates who’ve already paid their tuition and fees for fall 2024, the answer is, absolutely!
The ‘Community College Guarantee’ was proposed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in her 2024 State of the State address and was approved in July. It’s going to be funded through the School Aid Budget saving over 18,000 students up to $4,800 a year.
And this is the kind of change we all want to see, right? Lowering the barriers to higher education so more folks can get a shot at fulfilling their dreams. Way to go, Michigan!
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
