Topic guide · Free community college
The Michigan Community College Guarantee
The Michigan Community College Guarantee makes in-district community college tuition free for up to three years for students who finished high school in 2023 or later. There's no income limit. You file the FAFSA, enroll full time within 15 months of graduating and the state covers in-district tuition and mandatory fees after other grant aid.
Last checked: October 2026 against MI Student Aid (MiLEAP).
Quick facts
| Part of | The Michigan Achievement Scholarship |
|---|---|
| For | High school graduates (or equivalent) from 2023 on |
| Covers | In-district tuition, contact hours and mandatory fees |
| Bonus | An extra $1,000 for Pell-eligible students |
| How long | Up to 3 years |
| Income limit | None |
| Where | Michigan's public community colleges and tribal colleges |
Who qualifies for the Community College Guarantee?
- You earned a high school diploma, certificate of completion or equivalency in 2023 or later.
- You've lived in Michigan since July 1 of the previous year. Starting in 2026-27 you no longer have to have graduated from a Michigan high school, but you do have to live here.
- You're a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or approved refugee.
- You enroll full time within 15 months of graduating. The class of 2026 needs to start by fall 2027.
- You file the FAFSA and you're not in default on a federal student loan.
Is community college really free in Michigan?
For in-district students who qualify, yes for tuition and mandatory fees. "In-district" means you live inside the college's taxing district. If the college is outside your district you get a discount instead of free tuition. Books, supplies and living costs aren't covered, though Pell-eligible students get the extra $1,000.
Not a recent grad? Adults 21 and older without a degree can get free in-district tuition through Michigan Reconnect. Early Middle College graduates can still use the Guarantee afterward.
How do you claim it?
- File the FAFSA. It's the one step that unlocks the Guarantee.
- Apply to a community college in your district. Find yours.
- Enroll full time within 15 months of graduating.
Official Community College Guarantee page
Live in a Promise Zone, Detroit or Kalamazoo? A local Promise scholarship can stack with this one.
Sources: MI Student Aid, Community College Guarantee · MiLEAP FY2027 budget bulletin
Common questions
Who is eligible for the Michigan Community College Guarantee?
Michigan residents who finished high school or an equivalency in 2023 or later, file the FAFSA and enroll full time at a community college within 15 months of graduating. There is no income limit.
Source: MI Student Aid
How long does the Michigan Community College Guarantee last?
Up to three years of in-district tuition and mandatory fees at a Michigan community or tribal college.
Source: MI Student Aid