Michigan Grants & Scholarships

Michigan residents have additional need-based scholarship and grant opportunities. Check out your options below!

Michigan Tuition Grant & Competitive Scholarship

Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG)

The MTG is awarded, based on need, to students enrolled at Michigan independent colleges and universities. Eligibility requirements include:

Apply via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1st.
Awards range up to $2,000 per year and may be renewed each year based on a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Maximum terms of eligibility: 10 semesters.
Michigan residency is required from July 1 of the year before enrollment.
Students enrolled at least half-time are eligible if need is established.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS)

The MCS is awarded based on high-school ACT test scores and demonstrated financial need. Eligibility requirements include:

Apply via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1st.
Awards range up to $2,000 per year and may be renewed each year based on a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Maximum terms of eligibility: 10 semesters.
Michigan residency is required from July 1 of the year before enrollment.
Students enrolled at least half-time are eligible if need is established.

How to Apply

Filing a FAFSA by March 1st qualifies you for the Michigan Tuition Grant/Competitive Scholarship, but additional requirements apply:

Alma College must be the first school listed on your FAFSA before July of the year you will be entering college or designated as your school of choice in the MI Student Portal.
Demonstrate financial need.
Possess a high school diploma, certificate of completion, or general educational development certificate (GED)
Be a Michigan resident (student and parent) since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or approved refugee.
Meet institution’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy
Must not be in default on a Federal/State student loan.

Fostering Futures Scholarship

An application is required and must be completed annually during the open enrollment period.

The 2020-21 FFS Application

The Fostering Futures Scholarship (FFS), a State of Michigan* program, provides scholarships to young adults who have experienced foster care on or after their 13^th birthday. The State of Michigan works with individuals, community organizations, and businesses to encourage charitable contributions that go towards Fostering Futures Scholarship funds.

Awards are paid directly to the students’ institution to assist with unmet need in one or more of the following categories:

Tuition/Fees
Room/Board
Books/Supplies

*State of Michigan departments that are involved are the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Michigan Department of Treasury-Student Scholarships and Grants (SSG) and Michigan Education Trust (MET).

The student is responsible for notifying SSG of a change of address or college choice. Students must complete an application annually during the open enrollment period.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2020-21 Academic Year. The application deadline has been extended to September 1st. There are three ways to complete the application:

Online: Create a MiSSG Student Portal Account here. After the student’s account is created, select “Online Scholarship and Grant Applications” at the top of the page. Scroll down to the Fostering Futures Scholarship and click on the “FFS 2020 Application.”
Paper Application: Complete the 2020 Fostering Futures Scholarship Application Form and submit the application to the address or fax number located on the bottom of the application.
Phone: Contact the MI Student Aid Customer Care Center at 1-888-447-2687 and complete the application over the phone.

EDUCATION TRAINING VOUCHERS
Samaritas guides foster youth through college with federally-funded education assistance grants. Samaritas grants and case managers support foster youth toward obtaining their educational goals.

Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)

The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) encourages eligible Medicaid recipients to complete high school by providing tuition assistance for college. The award is limited to tuition and mandatory fees. View the TIP Fact Sheet here!

Eligibility for TIP

Student must have received Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-month period between the ages of 9 and high school graduation.
Students are identified by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as having met the Medicaid eligibility requirement. Students may be identified as TIP eligible as early as sixth grade, typically age 12 or after.
TIP must be initiated within four years from high school graduation and eligibility ends after six years from date of high school graduation.

How to Apply for TIP

After being identified as TIP eligible, SSG will send the student a notification to complete an application via the MiSSG Student Portal (www.michigan.gov/missg) or by phone at 1-888-4-GRANTS (888-447-2687).
An application must be submitted by August 31 of the student’s senior year or GED completion and before their 20th birthday to activate financial eligibility for the program.
IMPORTANT: TIP Certification Deadline Extended for 2020 Grads - The TIP certification deadline for the graduating class of 2020 is now August 31, 20201. To qualify for the extension, a student must have graduated high school after March 15, 2020 and before September 1, 2020.

To Receive TIP Funds at Alma College

Alma College participates in Phase II of the TIP Program. Students will not be eligible to receive TIP at Alma until they have earned 56 credit hours or their Associates Degree.

Students must select Alma College each year by:

Listing Alma College as their first choice on the FAFSA
Selecting Alma College within the MiSSG Student Portal (www.michigan.gov/missg)
Calling the MiSSG office to indicate Alma College as their choice at 1-888-4-GRANTS

Additional Information

Additional Information about the TIP program may be found at the State of Michigan Office of Scholarships and Grants website. See the for a quick reference on school participation, program limits and eligibility.

Michigan Works! Re-Employment Grant

Re-Employment Grants may be available through your local MI Works office. Students must be within two years of completing an approved program. Additional eligibility requirements apply.

Some eligibility markers include, but are not limited to: