News

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Earn your degree tuition-free!

 

Michigan’s Community College Guarantee provides a tuition-free path for in-district students at Montcalm Community College. 

That’s not all! It also provides significant financial assistance for out-of-district students, and an additional $1,000 for students who qualify to cover non-tuition costs such as textbooks and transportation. 

Did you know, beginning fall semester 2024 recent high school graduates are eligible for the Community College Guarantee regardless of family income? 

Passed by Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature for Fiscal Year 2025, the Community College Guarantee will cover in-district tuition costs and fees for graduating high school seniors to earn a degree or skill certificate at their local community college. 

Eligible students are those who graduated from a Michigan high school or earned a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or beyond. The Guarantee includes in-district tuition based on contact hours and mandatory fees. Also included is an additional $1,000 bonus living expenses award for students eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and are potentially eligible for the Guarantee regardless of the Student Aid Index (SAI) as calculated by the FAFSA. 

To receive the award, recent Michigan high school graduates must do the following: 

  • Complete the 2024-25 FAFSA if you haven’t already done so at fafsa.gov  
  • Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If a student is a dependent per the FAFSA, then parent(s) must also be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year 
  • Graduate from a Michigan high school or earn a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after 
  • Enroll full-time in college within 15 months of your high school graduation 

“By 2023, 70% of jobs in Michigan will require some post-secondary education,” said Montcalm Community College President Dr. Bradley J. Barrick. “The Community College Guarantee is a vital resource for our students to remove financial barriers and support them in successfully completing a college degree or certificate. 

“This investment in our students is a critical in continuing to grow the educated workforce we need,” Dr. Barrick said. “There’s still time to get started this fall at MCC, with classes starting on Aug. 17.” 

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

For more information, visit montcalm.edu/guarantee or contact MCC’s Student Services Department studentservices@montcalm.edu or 989-328-1277. 

 

Media inquiries, please contact:


Shelly Springborn
Director of Communications and Public Relations
shellys@montcalm.edu
989-560-0833