Community College Guarantee

In July, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the state of Michigan's budget for the fiscal year 2025 which included investments in higher education for recent high school graduates. The state's budget includes $30 million investment to increase funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which provides a pathway to community college, tuition guaranteed. The budget also expands the Michigan Achievement Scholarship with Whitmer's newly created Community College Guarantee to ensure every Michigan high school graduate can receive an associate degree or skilled certificate tuition-free from a community college. "Every Michigan family deserves access to a great public education," said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. "I'm proud of how this school aid budget continues historic investments to make a difference for students, educators, and schools in communities across Michigan. It delivers on the Michigan Guarantee, lowering barriers so more people can get skills training and associate's degrees tuition-free."

The Community College Guarantee includes funding for in-district tuition, contact hours, mandatory fee, and an additional $1000 Michigan Achievement Bonus Award for students eligible for federal Pell Grants, which can be used toward additional college costs. Beginning this fall, eligible students include those recent high school graduates from the classes of 2023 and 2024 who have been a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.

The first step is to complete the Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA), which helps determine if students qualify for various scholarships, grants, loans, and work study options. Participating students must be enrolled in college full-time within 15 months of their high school graduation.

Locally, participating colleges include Madonna University, Schoolcraft College, Monroe Community College, Wayne County Community College, and Henry Ford College. The new Community College Guarantee scholarship covers Henry Ford College (HFC) students' in-district tuition. In addition, Henry Ford College, located in Dearborn, offers students a seamless transfer to a four-year college or university if that is their choice. "The State of Michigan has been working hard to support students' ability to afford a high-quality college degree or certificate," said HFC President Russ Kavalhuna. "Recent state programs like the Community College Guarantee, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Michigan Reconnect, and Futures for Frontliners have directly supported Henry Ford College students' success as they work toward their education and life goals. We believe every Michigan citizen should have access to a college education."

To find out more about both the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Community College Guarantee, along with participating colleges, go to https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid. The site contains a link to fill out the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. If you are interested in Henry Ford College, go to [email protected] or call 313-845-9600.