State of Michigan Financial Aid Information

Basic Eligibility Information

Michigan students may be eligible for State grants and scholarships in addition to other forms of financial aid. All Michigan awards are contingent on budgeted appropriation, funds available for each academic year and Michigan residency requirements.

Program fact sheets can be found on the State of Michigan site. 

Application Process

Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The first institution listed on the FAFSA will be considered the priority school. Students are responsible for notifying MI Student Aid of a change in their college choice. This can be done via the MiSSG Student Portal or by calling 1-888-447-2687. The Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS) and Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG) FAFSA priority deadline is July 1. This deadline applies only to Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant. 

State of Michigan Financial Aid Programs

The State of Michigan website contains detailed information on all state aid programs. Here is a summary of Michigan-based programs available to Davenport students:

Michigan Achievement Scholarship (MAS)

The MAS is a renewable scholarship and the award is up to $5,500 each year. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:
  • Apply via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Demonstrate financial need by having a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $30,000 or less. 
  • Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. 
  • Graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma or a certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after.
  • Enroll full-time as defined by the eligible institution (12 credit hours per semester).
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or approved refugee.
  • Be an undergraduate student.
  • Not be incarcerated. 
  • Not be in default on a Federal student loan. 
  • For renewal, must meet Davenport Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. 
  • Make sure Davenport University is listed first under the section on the colleges that you want to receive the FAFSA information.

Download the MAS Fact Sheet from the State of Michigan Programs website for more information. 

MAS FAQ 

What is the deadline to apply for MAS?

  • There is no deadline to apply for MAS.

What is the award amount that I might be eligible for? 

  • Up to $5,500 if you attend a Michigan private college or university, per year
    • $2,500 Michigan Achievement Scholarship Minimum Award
    • $3,000 Michigan Achievement Scholarship Last-dollar Award

Do I need to be in a degree-granting program to qualify for MAS?

  • Yes, students must be in a degree-granting program to qualify. Students who are undecided or in an undecided major will not be eligible for MAS. 

Will the MAS minimum award and last-dollar award be tracked separately? 

  • Yes, instructions will be presented with and will certify two separate award amounts for MAS for students. 

Are there exceptions for the full-time enrollment requirements? 

  • No, students must be enrolled at least full-time as defined by the institution. Davenport defines full-time enrollment as a minimum of 12 credits per semester or 24 credits for the academic year.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS)

The MCS is awarded based on high-school ACT or SAT scores and demonstrated financial need. Awards range up to $3,000 per year and may be renewed each year based on a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:
  • Apply via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • 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 the need is established.
  • Make sure that Davenport University is listed first under the section on the colleges that you want to receive the FAFSA information.
  • Have earned a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or approved refugee.
  • Not be incarcerated.
  • For renewal, must meet Davenport Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. 
  • Not be in default on a Federal student loan 

Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG)

The MTG is awarded, based on need, to students enrolled at Michigan independent colleges and universities. Awards range up to $3,000 per year to Michigan residents.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:
  • Apply via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Maximum terms of eligibility: 10 semesters.
  • Students enrolled at least half-time are eligible if the need is established.
  • Have earned a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or approved refugee. 
  • For renewal, must meet Davenport Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
  • Not be incarcerated.
  • Not be in default on a Federal student loan. 
  • The State of Michigan requires that Davenport confirms all students' enrollment prior to disbursing money to students. After enrollment is confirmed, Davenport will disburse funds to students for the given academic year. 

Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)

The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) encourages eligible Medicaid recipients to complete high school by providing tuition assistance during an eligible student’s qualifying certificate or associate degree program and also during the student’s bachelor’s degree program. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

Students who have (or have had) Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36 36-consecutive month period prior to high school completion. The 24 months can begin as early as age 9. Students must also meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent before age 20
  2. Be a Michigan resident
  3. Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or approved refugee
  4. Not be incarcerated (does not include detention of a juvenile in a State-operated or privately operated detention facility)
  5. Not be in default on Federal/State student loans
  6. Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits)
  7. Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress  

TIP FAQ

For TIP, does the high school transcript requirement need to be official?

  • The High School Transcript does not need to be official but must have a Graduation Date on it.  We can also accept a copy of a H.S. Diploma with a graduation date on it.

 What are the requirements for TIP1 to be awarded?

  • TIP1 can only be awarded to students pursuing an undergraduate certificate program or associate degree.  Students are eligible to receive TIP1 funding up to 80-semester credits.  Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in their associate's program for their TIP1 funding to disburse. 

How is TIP1 awarded?

  • MiLEAP sets the per credit hour rate allowance each year based on their funding levels. Initial TIP1 awards are made to eligible students at 12 credits per semester times the established rate plus an allowance of $450 per semester for mandatory fees (Lettinga Campus) and $420 per semester for mandatory fees (non-Lettinga Campus). TIP1 awards will be adjusted for class schedules of more than or less than 12 semester hours.  Class schedules are also checked to determine if classes go toward the student’s associate’s degree.  Students are only eligible for TIP1 funds for classes that go towards their associate’s degree

What are the requirements for TIP2 to be awarded?

  • To be awarded TIP2, students must have one of the following:
  1. 56 credit hours or
  2. Received an associate’s degree
  • Students must also be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in their bachelor’s program for their TIP2 funding to disburse.

How is TIP2 awarded?

  • TIP2 is awarded at $500 per semester up to a maximum of $2000 for credits earned in their bachelor’s degree program.  TIP2 must be completed within 30 months of completion of TIP1.  Students can receive TIP2 funds without having received TIP1.

Michigan Future Educator Fellowship

The MI Future Educator Fellowship provides financial assistance to our future educators who are admitted and enrolled in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) approved by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

Students must complete an annual application. To complete the application or check the status, the student can log into the MiSSG Student Portal at Michigan.gov/MiSSG. Students must also complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications open May 1 of each year and are open until June 15 of the following calendar year.  

To be eligible for an award, a student must: 

  • Complete the annual MI Future Educator Fellowship application.
  • File a current year FAFSA.
  • Be a high school graduate.
  • Be admitted into an eligible Educator Preparation Program.
  • Be working on their initial teacher certification.
  • Be enrolled in enough coursework to be considered enrolled full-time during the academic year or its equivalency for individuals enrolled in an alternative certification program.
  • Have reached Junior grade level according to the institution’s definition.
  • Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.
  • Be a Michigan resident as defined by the FAFSA.
  • Complete a Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement, which requires that the recipient teach in Michigan in a public school or qualifying public preschool program for a specific number of years, depending on the number of years they have received the MI Future Educator Fellowship.  

If the recipient does not fulfill their Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement, the MI Future Educator Fellowship converts to a 0% interest rate loan which must be repaid within ten years of the loan conversion, plus any periods of deferment as approved by Treasury. 

Number of academic years fellowship receivedRecipient agrees to teach in Michigan for
OneThree years
TwoFour years
ThreeFive years

 

Students can receive the Fellowship for up to three years. Annual applications are required. To continue to receive the Fellowship, students must meet the requirements for an initial award, plus the following: 

  • Maintain full-time continuous enrollment in an eligible educator preparation program, as determined by the educator preparation program, or the equivalent of full-time participation for individuals enrolled in an alternative certification program.
  • Be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
  • Have participated in relevant academic and career advising programs offered by the institution.  

Awards are restricted to tuition and required fees and pay up to a maximum of $10,000 per academic year at participating institutions. It is the responsibility of the financial aid office to coordinate all sources of aid for which a student may be eligible. Other gift aid may reduce or cancel this award.

Students may receive assistance for up to three academic years and a total of $30,000. MI Future Educator Fellowship is available on a first-come first-served basis. Current and future awards are subject to approved and available funding.  

Fostering Futures Scholarship Application and Information

The Fostering Futures Scholarship (FFS) provides eligible foster youth with scholarship funds for tuition, fees, food and housing, books, and supplies/equipment required for enrollment. The FFS is available to students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must complete one application per academic year online at Michigan.gov/MiSSG. Awards pay up to a maximum of $3,000.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

  • Students must have been in Michigan foster care due to abuse/neglect on or after their 13th birthday.
  • Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and demonstrate financial need.
  • Students must be attending a Michigan public or private degree-granting four-year college/university or a community college at least half-time.
  • Students must meet Davenport Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.
  • Scholarships can only be used for undergraduate students; not available for graduate students.
  • If the student also has the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP), the TIP funds must be used before FFS funds.
  • There is no maximum age restriction for the student.
  • Students must apply online at MiSSG Student Portal each academic year if they want to receive funding. 

Michigan Children of Veterans Tuition Grant

The Children of Veterans Tuition Grant provides undergraduate tuition assistance to students older than 16 and less than 26 years of age who are the natural or adopted child of Michigan veteran. The veteran must have died or become totally permanently disabled as a result of military service. 

Students must complete an initial application through the MiSSG Student Portal. For renewal, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

  • Students enrolled at least half-time are eligible if the need is established. 
  • Be a Michigan resident for one year prior to program application. 
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or approved refugee.
  • Not have been convicted of a felony involving an assault, physical injury or death.
  • For renewal, students must maintain a minimum 2.25 GPA and otherwise meeting Davenport Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
  • Not in default on a Federal student loan. 

PROGRAM AWARD INFORMATION

Award maximum is $2,800 per academic year. Award is tuition-specific and may also include mandatory fees. Maximum semester awards are prorated by the student's enrollment.

  • Full-time: $1,400
  • Three-quarter-time: $1,050
  • Half-time: $700

Students living outside of Michigan:

All students who reside outside of Michigan should check with their State Department of Education for scholarship and grant information.