Dear Friends,
It’s that time of the year again — FAFSA submission time!
Improving college affordability and access has been a passion of mine for my entire career. As Deputy Director of the Michigan College Access Network, I worked closely with school districts, community foundations, business leaders and nonprofits to help students receive the necessary funding and support they needed to achieve their academic goals. This experience highlighted the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and is why I have remained committed to improving access to higher education for all Michiganders.
As Senate Appropriations Chair, I advocated for the allocation of $10 million in the 2024 State K-12 budget to bolster FAFSA completion rates in Michigan. Whether you’re preparing to graduate high school or returning to college, completing your FAFSA is essential for accessing financial assistance like grants and scholarships that can make college more affordable.
Thanks to the $10 million funding I helped secure, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship is now available statewide. This bipartisan scholarship can significantly reduce college costs at community colleges, private institutions or public universities by thousands of dollars a year — saving you up to $27,500 over five years.
A majority of Michigan’s graduating seniors qualify for financial aid from the state of Michigan, potentially saving you thousands of dollars on tuition. You might be eligible for more aid than you think, so don’t wait — complete your FAFSA now!
If you’re starting college in spring/summer 2024, the deadline is June 30, 2024. For fall 2024, the deadline is June 30, 2025.
Filling out your FAFSA is free and usually takes less than an hour. Get started at www.fafsa.gov.
Don’t let financial barriers hold you back. Act now to secure the aid you need for your education. Find more information and opportunities below.
New Opportunities for Michigan Students Through FAFSA
Last year, the Biden Administration introduced changes to the FAFSA aimed at broadening access to financial aid for low- and middle-income students. This updated version boasts a simplified form with fewer questions and a more user-friendly process for importing financial information.
Thanks to these improvements, the eligibility criteria have been expanded, leading to an estimated additional 20,000 students qualifying for a Pell Grant in Michigan alone, and over 38,000 more students are expected to receive the maximum grant award.
These enhancements not only increase the availability of scholarships and grants for Michigan students but also streamline the application process, ensuring a smoother experience for all applicants.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
To support the state’s Sixty by 30 goal and alleviate college expenses, Michigan Democrats established the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which is available to the majority of graduating high school seniors and incoming college freshmen this year.
Under the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, students can receive:
- Up to $2,750 annually if they enroll in a Michigan community college, for up to three years.
- Up to $4,000 annually if they enroll in a Michigan private college or university, for up to five years.
- Up to $5,500 annually if they enroll in a Michigan public university or a baccalaureate degree program at a Michigan community college, for up to five years.
For more details about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, visit Michigan.gov/achievement. To explore additional Michigan scholarships and grant programs, visit MI Student Aid’s website at Michigan.gov/mistudentaid.
The Michigan Guarantee
Michigan Democrats are working to deliver the Michigan Guarantee. It’s a simple promise with a huge impact — every child in Michigan deserves a free public education from pre-k through community college.
The Michigan Guarantee will ensure that the first two years of community college are tuition-free for every high school graduate, saving them over $4,000 annually and providing an affordable pathway to a well-paying job in a career they are passionate about.
Don’t miss out on these fantastic opportunities to secure the financial support you need for your academic journey.
Sincerely,
Sarah Anthony
State Senator
District 21