State of Michigan Grants Programs
The State of Michigan offers several scholarships and grants for college students:
Fostering Futures Scholarship (MFOST) |The Fostering Futures Scholarship provides scholarships to students who have experienced foster care in Michigan on or after age 13.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship (MAS/MASLD) | Beginning with graduates of 2023, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship will be available to students in the 2023-24 school year and beyond. Learn more about Michigan Achievement Scholarship.
Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS) |The Michigan Competitive Scholarship is available to undergraduate students pursing their first degree who graduated high school (or its equivalent) before 2023. This scholarship is based on both financial need and merit.
Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver (MITW) | Students who are at least 25 percent Native American blood quantum and are enrolled citizens of a U.S. Federally Recognized Tribe qualify for free tuition at OCC.
Michigan Reconnect (MREC/MRC21) |Michigan residents who are at least 25, have a high school diploma or GED, and don’t have a college or university degree can get free tuition at OCC. For a limited time this program is available to students ages 21-24. Apply by November 15, 2024 to take advantage of the 21-24 age expansion. Learn more about MI Reconnect.
MI GEAR UP |Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a Federal program designed to provide early intervention services and programs to students in middle school and high school. MI GEAR UP Scholarship targets low-income students by providing them with support services to increase their opportunity to succeed in postsecondary education.
Police Officer’s and Fire Fighter’s Survivor Grant (STG) |The Police Officer’s and Fire Fighter’s Survivor Tuition Grant provides for the waiver of tuition at a Michigan community college or public university for children and surviving spouses of Michigan police officers and fire fighters killed in the line of duty.
Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) |TIP provides tuition assistance to eligible Medicaid recipients for qualifying certificate, associate degree, and bachelor’s degree programs.
Other State Programs:
Dual Enrollment |Students in grades 9-12 can take up to 10 classes at OCC for free through Dual Enrollment. The Michigan Department of Education funds the program. Learn more about Dual Enrollment.
Michigan Education Trust (MET) | The MET program is designed to help students and their families save for a future college education through pre-purchase undergraduate tuition at any Michigan public university or college for a child residing in Michigan.
Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP)| MESP offers families many benefits in saving for future college education costs including flexibility in using the saved funds, a broad choice of investments, low minimum contributions, a State of Michigan matching grant, and much more.
Short Term Training Programs (STTP/MASS) |The STTP and MASS programs are administrated through the departments that host the training. Please contact the department where the training program is located for more details.
Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship (MASS) | If you graduated from high school or earned a GED in 2023, you may qualify for up to $4,000 over two years. Click on the link to see all the eligible career training programs.
Michigan Reconnect Short Term Training Program (STTP) | The Michigan Reconnect Program has expanded to include funding for short-term training programs offered through OCC’s Economic Workforce Development. Eligible participants can benefit from the new scholarship opportunities.
Michigan Reconnect Short-Term Training Program Scholarship: Provides a one-time payment up to $1,500 towards eligible short-term training program tuition in 2024.
Eligibility Requirements:
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- Age 21 or older
- Michigan resident
- Have obtained a high school diploma or GED
- Have not yet obtained an associate or bachelor’s degree