Free Michigan community college guarantee starts this fall. What to know

• The Michigan Community College Guarantee covers in-district tuition and fees for recent Michigan high school graduates
• The tuition-free guarantee begins this fall
• It’s part of a new education budget signed into law on Tuesday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer 

Recent Michigan high school graduates will be able to attend a local community college tuition-free starting this fall under a budget plan signed Tuesday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“This is a huge deal,” Whitmer said during a signing event in Flint. “It’s a life-changing opportunity” for qualifying students, “putting them on a path to a better paying job.”

The Whitmer administration estimates the free community college program will save more than 18,000 students up to $4,800 per year.

Eligibility will depend on when a student graduated from high school, if they filled out a key federal student aid form and whether they enroll in college full-time. It is not dependent on a student’s personal finances. 

Michigan already has other programs to help older residents attend college at a discounted price. Some private colleges and universities also offer tuition-free guarantees for students who meet certain requirements. 

What does the Community College Guarantee do?

The Michigan Community College Guarantee is designed to cover the cost of in-district tuition and mandatory fees, according to the state. It begins this fall. 

Related:

• Michigan college graduates make $33,400 more, but fewer students attending
• Michigan’s $23B education deal: Free community college for all, pre-K for many
• More students graduating in four years from Michigan public universities

Students can enroll in a community college or tribal college. You can find a list of Michigan community colleges and links to their financial aid websites here.

Will the program cover other school costs? 

Yes, for some students. Those who qualify for the federal Pell Grant can receive an additional $1,000 from the state to help cover additional college costs, such as books and supplies. 

Who is eligible for the program?

Students must meet several requirements.

• FAFSA: They must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is a federal form that helps schools determine what scholarships, grants, loans and work study options students can qualify for. 
• Residency: The student must be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If a student is a dependent, their parent must also be a state resident. 
• Graduate: The student must earn a diploma, certificate of completion or high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after. 
• Enroll: Students must enroll full-time to community college within 15 months of graduating high school. 

Students must also meet specific criteria to renew their scholarship from year to year. 

Does the program cover any community college in the state? 

The program covers in-district tuition for students to attend their local community college. Local residents pay taxes to support a community college and have lower tuition costs than those who do not pay into a community college.

For example, one credit hour at Washtenaw Community College is $99 for in-district students, while it costs $181 out-of-district students. 

Students can choose to attend a community college in a different area than where they currently live. But they may have out-of-pocket costs covering the difference between in-district and out-of-district tuition.

Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association, previously told Bridge that roughly 80 percent of K-12 students live within a community college district. 

Are there other programs to attend a community college tuition-free? 

Yes. The state also offers the Michigan Reconnect program. This program is for adults 25 and older to attend community college tuition-free. For a limited time, those 21 and older are also eligible for the program. 

You can find the program’s requirements here.