Community College Guarantee

The Community College Guarantee has replaced the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Please see details below for the new and improved scholarship opportunity for 2023 and later high school graduates.

Beginning this fall, eligible high school students who graduated as part of the Class of 2023 or later can pursue an associate degree or skill certificate at their local community college tuition-free. 

The Community College Guarantee covers: 

• The total cost of in-district tuition and mandatory fees
• An additional $1,000 Michigan Achievement Bonus award for Pell-eligible students to use toward additional college costs 

All eligible students have to do to qualify is fill out the latest Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Questions? Contact MCC’s Student Services Department at studentservices@montcalm.edu or 989-328-1277. 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for free in-district tuition via the Community College Guarantee, students must:
 

• Complete the latest FAFSA
• Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year* 
• Have graduated from a Michigan high school with a diploma or high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after 
• Enroll in college as a full-time student within 15 months of high school graduation 
  • Class of 2023 spring graduates must enroll by the Fall 2024 semester 
  • Class of 2024 spring graduates must enroll by the Fall 2025 semester 

Learn more on the state’s Community College Guarantee web page.

*Note: If the applicant is considered a dependent for federal student aid, the applicant’s parent/guardian must have been a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.  

In-District vs. Out-of-District Tuition

What does in-district mean? In-district students are those who reside within the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) and pay property taxes to support Montcalm Community College.  

Please note: Students enrolling at and attending their local, in-district community college will be able to pursue their degree tuition-free, meaning they won’t have to pay for tuition, contact hours or mandatory fees out of pocket. Students who enroll in a community college outside of their district will need to pay the difference after the in-district tuition cost is subtracted. 

View MCC’s in-district and out-of-district tuition rates at montcalm.edu/tuition.