2026-27 State Financial Aid Programs Policy Update Notification - Enrollment Requirements and Certificate Definition
As we prepare for Academic Year 2026–27, the Office of Higher Education will share confirmed policy updates that will take effect in the upcoming year. Providing this information in advance is intended to support timely review and allow institutions to plan and prepare for implementation. An updated version of the 2025–26 State Programs and Procedures Manual will be released soon to highlight the changes taking effect in 2026–27.
Enrollment Requirements
Program Eligibility
Students may use State financial aid at an eligible institution when enrolled in an eligible certificate or degree-granting program. Certificate programs must be at least 24 semester credits (or the clock-hour equivalent) and include a minimum of 30 weeks of instruction or 26 weeks of instruction time if the program is offered in clock hours completed within a 12-month period.
Institutions must convert clock-hour billing to credit-hour billing when requesting payment from the Office of Higher Education.
Note: Program specific requirements include the following clarifications:
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Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)
- Phase II: Students must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program.
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Michigan Reconnect / Futures for Frontliners / Reconnect Expansion
- Be admitted to, and enrolled in, a Pell-eligible program at an eligible institution leading to an associate degree or industry-recognized certificate or credential.
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MI Future Educator Fellowship and Stipend
- Students must be admitted in an eligible Educator Preparation Program leading to teacher certification.
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Michigan Achievement Scholarship & Community College Guarantee
- Students must be enrolled full-time in an eligible certificate or degree-granting program. Courses outside of their program may be included in their full-time calculations.
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Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship
- Students must be enrolled in an eligible Career Training Program.
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Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver
- Eligibility is not limited by degree level, certificate length, enrollment status, or number of credentials pursued, consistent with statute.
Certificate Definition
An acceptable certificate program must be a minimum of 24 semester credits (or 36 term credits) or the clock-hour equivalent and at least 30 weeks of instructional time (or 26 weeks if the program is offered in clock hours) within a 12-month consecutive period.
Institutions must convert clock-hour billing to credit-hour billing when requesting payment from the Office of Higher Education.
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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