New Michigan Achievement scholarship now open

TRAVERSE CITY — Northern Michigan 2023 high school graduates can lower their bill at NMC by thousands of dollars by applying for the newly-created Michigan Achievement Scholarship online.

NMC's Office of Financial Aid estimates that up to 200 area high school graduates could qualify for Michigan Achievement, and NMC could award between $300,000–$400,000.

“We are thrilled to offer high school graduates this opportunity, on top of the more than $1 million in donor-created scholarships NMC already offers,” said NMC President Nick Nissley.

Created by bipartisan legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last month, the Achievement Scholarship makes 2023 graduates eligible for annual scholarships at Michigan colleges and universities in amounts up to: 

  • $2,750 at a community college (renewable for up to three years)
  • 4,000 at a private college or university (renewable for up to five years)
  • $5,500 at a public university (renewable for up to five years)

Savings is dependent upon demonstrated financial need on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) Proportionate to actual tuition cost, students taking advantage of the scholarship to attend community colleges will receive the most value. At NMC, for instance, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship would more than cover half a year’s tuition for Grand Traverse County residents.

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is expected to cover 94 percent of students attending community college, 79 percent of students attending a private college or university, and 76 percent of students attending a public university.  

Besides making college more affordable for families, the scholarship was created to grow Michigan’s talent pool, and get the state closer to achieving its Sixty by 30 goal of 60% of adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030. NMC also participates in the Michigan Reconnect scholarship, a state program that offers free in-district tuition (Grand Traverse County residents) to adults 25 and over who do not already have a college degree or certificate.

 

Release date: November 3, 2022

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

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