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The Office of Higher Education is pleased to announce the release of the 2025-26 State Programs and Procedures Manual – Overview of Operations for Financial Aid Professionals.
Please note that while this version of the manual reflects current policy guidance, it remains tentative until the Fiscal Year 2026 budget is officially approved. We remain optimistic that Michigan’s legislators and administration will continue their commitment to supporting State financial aid programs.
We strongly encourage all financial aid professionals to thoroughly review the manual for updates and clarifications to policies for Academic Year 2025-26. To ensure you are referencing the most up-to-date version, please access the manual at: https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/aid-administrators/resources.
As you review the manual, look for three key call-outs that highlight important updates: new, clarified, and tentative information.
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FAFSA Status (page 10, 96, and program-specific pages): Identity verification required for programs accepting a submitted FAFSA only.
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High School Completion Requirements (page 12): Clarifies which programs do not require proof of high school completion.
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Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver Residency and Citizenship Requirements (page 13 - 15): Incorporation of existing residency and citizenship policy.
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Acceptable Courses (page 16): Students may repeat a previously passed course once; exceptions apply for programs requiring higher grades.
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Online Courses (page 18): Reimbursement limited to in-district tuition rate unless otherwise approved.
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Consortium Agreements (page 18 and 19): Clarifications on enrollment approval, award amounts, and institutional responsibilities.
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Non-public Dual Enrollment Billing Form (page 24): Clarified course eligibility and new billing deadline.
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Fostering Future Scholarship Application Deadline (page 26): Updated application deadline.
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Fostering Futures Scholarship Award Amount (page 27): Award maximum increase.
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MI Future Educator Stipend Student Teaching Experience (page 36): Students must be enrolled full-time in student teaching coursework and complete 300 classroom contact hours.
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Michigan Achievement Scholarship 15-Month Requirement (page 43 and 48): Expands initiation to include students who were enrolled at any enrollment level at a participating Michigan institution within the 15-month period.
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Mandatory Fees (page 44, 49, and 95): Updated definition to include mandatory fees may not include fees that a student can opt-out-of.
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Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship Application Deadline (page 51): Updated application deadline.
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Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship Certification (page 52): Clarified eligible costs and certification timeline.
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Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver Program Requirements (page 59 – 60): Existing policy incorporated into manual.
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Tuition Incentive Program Phase I Rate (page 73 and 74): Updated rate for private/independent institutions.
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Promise Zones (page 80): Clarified definition and packaging order.
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Transferring Institutions in MiSSG (page 84): Clarification on roles for transferring a student record for a paid award.
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Clear Ineligible Reasons (page 84 and 85): Encourages institutions to review and update ineligible student records as needed.
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Unusual Student Records (page 85 and 85): Guidance to institutions on reporting suspected fraudulent activity.
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Payment Schedule (page 88 and 89): Updated payment timeline for MI Future Educator Fellowship.
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Unclaimed Awards (page 90): Guidance for returning unissued student refunds.
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Appendix II: Packaging Scenarios: New packaging scenarios.
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Appendix III: State Financial Aid Program Requirements At-a-Glance: Coming Soon!
Please ensure your teams are informed and familiar with these changes ahead of the upcoming academic year. Should you have questions or need further clarification, please contact the Office of Higher Education at MiStudentAid@Michigan.gov or 888-447-2687.
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is not affiliated with National Merit Scholarship Corporation or its registered trademarks National Achievement®, Achievement Scholarship®, or Achievement Scholar®.
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