Adults · career changers · recent grads
It is not too late. And it is cheaper than you think.
Michigan will pay community college tuition for most adults 21 and older who do not have a degree. If you were laid off, earn a low income or are a veteran, your local Michigan Works! office can often pay for short training too. If you want to earn while you learn, an apprenticeship pays you from day one.
Graduated in 2023 or later
Just finished high school
If you graduated (or earned a GED or certificate of completion) in 2023 or later, Michigan's Achievement Scholarship gives you one of three things. You have to start within 15 months of graduating, so the class of 2026 needs to enroll by fall 2027.
Community College Guarantee
In-district tuition and mandatory fees at any Michigan community or tribal college, for up to 3 years. No income limit. Pell-eligible students get an extra $1,000. Out-of-district students get a discount.
University
Up to $5,500 a year for up to five years at a Michigan public or private university, or a community college bachelor's program. Family income limit applies (Student Aid Index of 30,000 or less).
Skills Scholarship
Up to $2,000 a year for two years toward career training of 150+ hours, like CDL, welding, phlebotomy or HVAC certificates. Starting this year, you can get it in the same year as the Achievement Scholarship.
- Who qualifies
- Michigan resident, high school diploma or equivalent in 2023 or later, enrolled within 15 months, full time for the college awards. As of 2026-27 you no longer have to have graduated from a Michigan high school, but you do have to live here.
- The one step
- File the FAFSA. It unlocks the Guarantee and the university award. The Skills Scholarship uses its own application in the MiSSG Student Portal.
- Engineering or tech?
- College students in engineering and software can earn $5,000 to $10,000 through MEDC's Michigander Scholars by interning or taking a job with a participating Michigan employer.
- Also check
- The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) pays community college tuition for students who had Medicaid for 24 of 36 months between age 9 and graduation. Early Middle College graduates can still use the Guarantee afterward.
Want to earn instead of study? A registered apprenticeship pays you from day one and many building trades accept 18 year olds with a diploma. See trades and unions.
Achievement Scholarship guide Community College Guarantee guide
Sources: MI Student Aid, Community College Guarantee · College and university · Skills Scholarship · TIP · MiLEAP FY2027 budget bulletin
Age 21 and older
Michigan Reconnect: free community college for adults
Reconnect pays the tuition you still owe at your in-district community college after federal Pell and other aid. If the college is outside your district you still get a large discount. It covers associate degrees and skill certificates, including most trades certificates like welding, HVAC, electrical technology and CNC machining.
The age just dropped to 21. Reconnect was for adults 25 and older. The 2026-27 state budget lowered it to 21 again, and applications under the new rule opened August 2026. That change was made through the budget, so it is not guaranteed past this budget year. If you are 21 to 24 and thinking about it, apply now rather than later.
- Who qualifies
- 21 or older. Michigan resident for at least a year. A high school diploma or GED. No associate or bachelor's degree yet.
- What it pays
- In-district tuition, mandatory fees and contact-hour charges. It does not pay books, supplies or the extra out-of-district cost.
- Where
- All 28 public community colleges and 2 tribal colleges. Find yours.
- To keep it
- Take at least 12 credits per academic year and keep a 2.0 GPA. The benefit lasts until you finish an associate degree or four years pass.
- How to apply
- 1. Fill out the short Reconnect application. 2. Apply to a community college. 3. File the FAFSA (required, even if you think you won't get Pell). 4. Enroll. Free navigators can help you through it.
Apply for Reconnect Full Reconnect guide
Sources: Michigan Reconnect, About · Reconnect FAQs · MiLEAP, Aug. 26, 2026
Laid off, low income, veteran or just stuck
Michigan Works!: the front door for job seekers
Full Michigan Works! guide · Workforce Pell for short training
Michigan Works! is the state's network of job centers: 16 regional agencies with more than 90 service centers. Most people only think of it for unemployment. It also pays for training, and that is the part almost nobody uses.
Free for anyone
- Career assessment and counseling
- Resume, interview and job search help
- Job fairs and hiring events
- Referrals to adult education and apprenticeships
Paid training, if you qualify
Through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), an Individual Training Account can pay for an approved training program. Priority goes to veterans, people on public assistance, people with low incomes and workers who were laid off. Approved programs are listed on Michigan Training Connect.
Some offices can also help with things that get in the way of training, like transportation or child care. What is available depends on your region, so ask.
Find your Michigan Works! office or call 1-800-285-9675
Sources: Michigan Works! Association · LEO, WIOA Adult program · LEO, WIOA Dislocated Worker program
No diploma or GED yet
Finish high school as an adult
This matters first because almost every other program on this page, Reconnect included, needs a diploma or GED. Michigan has about 120 adult education programs, run mostly through school districts, and they are free or low cost.
- High school completion. Earn an actual Michigan high school diploma.
- GED or HiSET. Prep classes plus the test. In-person testing costs about $160 to $174 total. The state's HSE-to-School program can cover one attempt per subject for eligible residents, but it depends on funding, so ask before you pay.
- English classes (ESL) and job training that runs alongside your classes.
Find adult education near you or call 517-335-5858
Sources: LEO, Learn More Earn More · LEO, High School Equivalency · LEO, Sept. 2, 2026
8 to 14 weeks
Short programs and the new Workforce Pell
Starting July 2026, federal Pell Grants can pay for short job training programs, not just college degrees. This is new, and Michigan is still approving which programs qualify.
- Program length
- 150 to 599 clock hours. Michigan requires 8 to 14 weeks.
- Who can use it
- Pell-eligible students. Unlike regular Pell, you can use it even if you already have a bachelor's degree, but not a graduate degree.
- The catch
- Programs have to prove that most students finish and get jobs. Michigan's first approvals came out in August 2026 and the next application window for schools runs January 15 to February 12, 2027.
- What to do
- File the FAFSA and ask the college or training provider directly: "Is this program Workforce Pell eligible?"
Sources: LEO, Workforce Pell Grants · U.S. Department of Education
No tuition. A paycheck instead.
Earn while you learn
A registered apprenticeship is a real job with a raise schedule, plus classroom training the employer or union usually pays for. When you finish you hold a nationally recognized credential. For adults with rent to pay, this is often the most realistic path, because you never stop earning.
Most building trades apprenticeships take adults of any age. Many people start in their late 20s or 30s.
Help built for specific situations
Veterans
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency helps with job search, GI Bill questions and veteran-friendly employers and schools. Call 1-800-642-4838. Helmets to Hardhats connects veterans to construction apprenticeships, and the GI Bill can pay a monthly housing allowance while you are an apprentice.
People with disabilities
Michigan Rehabilitation Services helps people prepare for, find and keep work, with counseling, training and assistive technology. It also serves students 14 to 26. Its Michigan Career and Technical Institute in Plainwell offers residential trades training. Call 800-605-6722.
Returning citizens
The Michigan Department of Corrections runs Vocational Villages in Ionia, Jackson and Ypsilanti, with full-day trades training and certifications before release. After release, Michigan Works! offices are the best next stop.
Auto and manufacturing workers facing change
The state's MI Auto Workforce Hub collects training and job options for workers affected by shifts in the auto industry. Note: federal Trade Adjustment Assistance is not taking new cases until Congress reauthorizes it.
Which one is for me?
| If you... | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Don't have a diploma or GED | Adult education | Almost everything else requires it, and it is free. |
| Graduated high school in 2023 or later | Achievement Scholarship | It is the most money and you have a limited window. |
| Are 21+ with no degree and can go to school part time | Michigan Reconnect | Free tuition at your local community college. |
| Were laid off or earn a low income | Michigan Works! | WIOA can pay for training and sometimes help with barriers. |
| Can't afford to stop earning | An apprenticeship | You are paid from day one, and the training is usually free. |
| Want a credential in a few weeks | Workforce Pell | New federal money for 8 to 14 week programs. |
| Don't know what you want yet | Pathfinder | Free state tool that shows Michigan wages, openings and where to train. |
Common questions
Is community college free in Michigan?
For many people, yes. High school graduates from 2023 on get free in-district tuition for up to three years through the Community College Guarantee if they file the FAFSA and enroll within 15 months. Adults 21 and older without a degree can get free in-district tuition through Michigan Reconnect.
Source: MI Student Aid
Who qualifies for Michigan Reconnect?
Adults 21 and older who have lived in Michigan at least a year, have a high school diploma or GED and don't have an associate or bachelor's degree. The age dropped from 25 to 21 in the 2026-27 state budget, so check before you apply. You also need to file the FAFSA.
Source: Michigan Reconnect
How much is the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?
Up to $5,500 a year for up to five years at a Michigan university, free in-district community college through the Community College Guarantee, or up to $2,000 a year for two years of career training. It's for students who finished high school in 2023 or later and enroll within 15 months.
Source: MI Student Aid
Can I finish high school or get my GED for free in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan's adult education programs offer free or low-cost high school completion, GED and HiSET prep and English classes. The state's HSE-to-School program can cover one test attempt per subject for eligible residents, depending on funding.
Source: Michigan LEO
What is Workforce Pell?
Federal Pell Grants for short job training programs of 8 to 14 weeks in Michigan, available since July 2026. Programs have to be approved first, so ask the training provider whether a program qualifies. Unlike regular Pell, you can use it even if you already have a bachelor's degree.
Source: Michigan LEO