MARQUETTE, Mich. – For the second year in a row, many Michigan universities and colleges are offering free tuition opportunities for eligible graduating high school seniors.
High school students who will graduate this year, for those qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and a Federal Pell Grant, Northern Michigan University (NMU) has has put forward its commitment to providing the remainder of the tuition. NMU Admissions Director Kari Garcia directed high school seniors must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
“So, they fill that form up and then they will find out if they’re eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and or the Federal Pell Grant and if they’re eligible for both of those, they will automatically receive our tuition advantage program,” Garcia said.
Garcia also indicated that this scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship.
“After all a student aid has been applied, then Northern’s tuition advantage kicks in and covers whatever remaining of the student’s tuition and mandatory fees is,” Garcia said.
As a point of clarification, some of this year’s graduating seniors could qualify for free college tuition based on where they live or attended high school. Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College Financial Aid Director Michelle Moulden reported that the community college route has different requirements.
“You have to have an EFC, expected family contribution, of $25,000 or less and be a full-time student in a participating community college or university,” Moulden said.
She also said the Michigan Achievement Scholarship is great because it gives children like hers a chance to succeed.
“I have a daughter who’s going to be graduating this year and all the pressure as a parent to try and figure out how we are going to afford her going to school and now with all these new opportunities she has a chance,” Garcia said.
To get started on the FAFSA, click here.
— with files from uppermichiganssource.com
