Michigan financial aid for new high school graduates centers on one program: the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. It pays up to $5,500 a year for up to five years at a Michigan university, with no GPA or test-score requirement. You need a FAFSA showing a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 30,000 or less. At a community college, tuition is free for every recent graduate, regardless of income. On top of that, 13 of the 15 public universities run their own free-tuition programs.
The details below are from MI Student Aid (part of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential), the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) and each university's own pages.
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship at a glance
| University pathway | Community college pathway | |
|---|---|---|
| Award | Up to $5,500 a year, up to 5 years ($27,500) | In-district tuition and mandatory fees, plus a $1,000 bonus if Pell-eligible |
| Where | Michigan public universities, private colleges, and community college bachelor's programs | Michigan community and Tribal colleges |
| Income test | SAI of 30,000 or less | None |
| Who | High school graduates of 2023 or later, Michigan residents, full time | Same |
| Apply | FAFSA | FAFSA |
| Start by | Within 15 months of graduation (class of 2026 spring graduates: by fall 2027) | Same |
Source: MI Student Aid, Michigan Achievement Scholarship pages.
MI Student Aid says 7 in 10 students at four-year universities are eligible. See Michigan Achievement Scholarship requirements for the details on SAI, residency and renewal.
It replaced the old programs for new students. The Michigan Competitive Scholarship is now only for students who finished high school before 2023, and the Michigan Tuition Grant only for students who received it in 2023-24 or earlier.
Free tuition at Michigan public universities
Most of Michigan's public universities layer their own promise on top: if your family is under an income limit, they cover tuition after state and federal grants. Among the largest:
- University of Michigan: Go Blue Guarantee, income $125,000 or less and assets under $125,000
- Michigan State: Spartan Tuition Advantage, Pell-eligible with income $75,000 or less
- Grand Valley State: Grand Valley Pledge, income and assets $50,000 or less
- Wayne State: Wayne State Guarantee, income $80,000 or less and assets under $50,000, or Pell-eligible
See Michigan free tuition programs for all 15 universities.
The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)
Students who had Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-month period between age 9 and high school graduation can get tuition help through TIP. It covers tuition for a certificate or associate degree (Phase I) and later toward a bachelor's degree (Phase II). The state notifies eligible students, starting as young as 12. You must file the FAFSA and start within four years of finishing high school.
Getting in
- Michigan Assured Admission Pact: 11 public universities admit every Michigan high school graduate with a 3.0 GPA or higher. See MAAP and fall 2027 deadlines.
- University of Michigan: Early Decision and Early Action close November 1; Regular Decision February 1. See U-M admissions for Michigan residents.
What this means for you
- File the 2027-28 FAFSA. It's the application for the Achievement Scholarship, the Community College Guarantee, TIP and every university promise above.
- You don't need a GPA or test score for the Achievement Scholarship, only financial need (an SAI of 30,000 or less) for the university pathway.
- Start within 15 months of graduation, or you lose eligibility.
- Compare university promises. Depending on the school, a family earning up to $125,000 can pay $0 tuition.
Sources
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship — MI Student Aid
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship: College and University — MI Student Aid
- Community College Guarantee — MI Student Aid
- Scholarship and Grant Programs — MI Student Aid
- Tuition Incentive Program — MI Student Aid
- Free Tuition Programs (updated Oct. 15, 2026) — Michigan Association of State Universities