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With the release of Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, please see below for a summary of important changes to the MI Future Educator programs that may affect your financial aid planning process and student advising for Academic Year 2026-27:
2026-27 MI Future Educator Fellowship Program
Eligibility Requirements
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Removed: Institutions are no longer required to verify the Fellowship applicant’s high school graduation or receive proof of high school graduation to award the Fellowship.
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Added: Educator Preparation Programs must include training in pedagogical methods grounded in the science of reading for students to qualify for MI Fellowship.
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Expanded: Students may not receive Grow Your Own, Educator Workforce Innovation Program, or Educator Development and Retention Program funding (described in Sec. 27b of the P.A. 25 of 2026) and MI Future Educator Fellowship at the same time.
Fulfilling the Commitment to Teach in Michigan Agreement (CTMA)
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Expanded: Students who sign a 2026-27 CTMA may now complete their post-graduation teaching commitment in a qualifying public school, nonpublic school, public pre-school program, or nonpublic pre-school program.
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Guidance to Students: The 2023-24 CTMA, 2024-25 CTMA, and 2025-26 CTMA require students complete their teaching commitment in a public school district or public pre-school program only. If your student has signed multiple CTMAs, and each CTMA has different definitions for qualifying placements, the CTMA which includes the more expansive definition for qualifying placements may apply toward the student’s entire teaching service commitment. For example, if a student signed a 2025-26 CTMA (public teaching placements only) and a 2026-27 CTMA (public and nonpublic teaching placements allowed), the 2026-27 CTMA’s definition of qualifying placements will apply to the student’s entire four-year teaching commitment.
Important Dates
- The Fellowship Confirmation of Eligibility roster will be available on September 1, 2026.
- The Fellowship Reimbursement roster will be available on September 30, 2026.
Payment Schedule
- For the 2026-27 academic year, the MI Future Educator Fellowship program will follow a quarterly payment schedule. The 2026-27 quarterly payment dates are (unless adjusted due to required system modifications):
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Quarter 1: November 11, 2026
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Quarter 2: February 17, 2027
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Quarter 3: May 5, 2027
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Quarter 4: August 11, 2027
2026-27 MI Future Educator Stipend Program
Eligibility Requirements
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Added: Educator Preparation Programs must include training in pedagogical methods grounded in the science of reading for students to qualify for MI Stipend.
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Expanded: Students may not receive Grow Your Own, Educator Workforce Innovation Program, or Educator Development and Retention Program funding (described in Sec. 27b of the P.A. 25 of 2026) and MI Future Educator Stipend at the same time.
Fulfilling the Student Teaching Requirement
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Expanded: Students may now complete their semester(s) of required student teaching at a qualifying public or nonpublic school.
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Guidance to Students: The 2026-27 application will be updated to include nonpublic schools on September 1, 2026.
Important Dates
- The Stipend Certification roster will be available on September 1, 2026.
Payment Schedule
- For the 2026-27 academic year, the MI Future Educator Stipend program will follow a monthly payment schedule. Unless adjusted due to required system modifications, Stipend payments will begin October 14, 2026 and continue on a monthly basis through August 11, 2027.
We appreciate your partnership and your continued commitment to supporting Michigan’s future teachers. If you have any questions about either program, please email Sarah McGann, Program Coordinator for the MI Future Educator Fellowship and Stipend programs, at McgannS@Michigan.gov.
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