Between picking the right college, selecting a major and identifying how to fund a degree, the process of making the transition from high school to university life can admittedly be daunting. To help ease the financial uncertainty many students feel at the outset of their college careers, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer explained today how 2023 high school graduates can apply for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and lower their cost of college by thousands of dollars a year. Students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to save up to $27,500 over five years at public universities including the University of Michigan-Flint.
The UM-Flint FAFSA school code is 002327.
"For too long, high costs have been a barrier to higher education," said Whitmer. "I am so excited that we worked across the aisle to establish the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, lowering the cost of college by thousands of dollars a year for the vast majority of graduating seniors, starting with the class of 2023 … I encourage every student going to community college, private college, or a public university in Michigan to speak with their parents or guardians, get their documents together, and fill out their FAFSA to save thousands of dollars."
UM-Flint Chancellor Deba Dutta sees the scholarship as a difference-maker for students looking to take advantage of the transformational opportunities available at the university.
"The opportunities that will be afforded to so many students because of this scholarship are incredible and will help reduce financial anxiety during their educational journeys," said Dutta. "This funding will not only substantially reduce the cost of tuition, but will make it even more practical and affordable for them to pursue their career goals."
Starting with the class of 2023, graduates are eligible for annual scholarships up to $5,500 at public universities, with award amounts up to $27,500 over a five-year period. Annual scholarships of up to $2,750 at community colleges and $4,000 at private universities are also available. Students will be eligible if their family demonstrates financial need after completing the FAFSA and the state estimates that the scholarship will cover 76% of tuition for those students attending a public university.
This initiative is key to reaching the state's goal of helping 60% of adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.
Lori Vedder, interim vice provost of enrollment management and director of financial aid at UM-Flint, said that initiatives like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship make a U-M degree even more accessible for high school graduates throughout the state.
"With the third-lowest tuition for a public university in the state and existing programs like the Go Blue Guarantee and automatic merit scholarships, UM-Flint has long made providing a world-class education at an affordable cost a top priority," Vedder said. "The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is an invaluable resource for incoming college students and we look forward to helping high school graduates identify the best financial aid package for their futures."
More information on UM-Flint financial aid can be found on the Office of Financial Aid webpage.
For a guide on how to get the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, click here.
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