Topic guide · Detroit graduates
The Detroit Promise
The Detroit Promise pays the tuition and mandatory fees left after other grants for Detroit residents who graduate from a Detroit high school, at partner community colleges and universities. Students who attend Detroit high schools for junior and senior year qualify for community college with no GPA or test requirement. The university path requires all four years in Detroit high schools and a minimum GPA.
Application timing: the Detroit Promise application closed July 1, 2026 and reopens in November 2026 for the next class. Check the official site for new dates.
Last checked: October 2026 against the Detroit Promise's own site.
Who qualifies for the Detroit Promise?
Community college
- Live in Detroit.
- Attend a Detroit high school for junior and senior years and graduate.
- No GPA or test score requirement.
- File the FAFSA.
University
- Live in Detroit and attend Detroit high schools all four years.
- Meet the GPA cutoff, 3.0 for most partners and lower at some.
- File the FAFSA. Tests are optional.
- A few partners have limited seats.
Any high school with a Detroit address counts: public, charter, private, parochial or home school.
What does the Detroit Promise pay for?
- Last dollar: Pell and the state's Tuition Incentive Program pay first, then the Promise covers the rest of tuition and mandatory fees. Books, housing and meals aren't covered.
- Community college: up to 3 years at partners including Henry Ford College, Jackson College, Macomb, Oakland Community College, Schoolcraft, St. Clair County Community College and Wayne County Community College District.
- University: up to 4 years at more than 20 Michigan partners, covered by the university's aid plus a Promise contribution.
- Coaching: through the Detroit Promise Path, community college students get a campus coach and a $50 monthly stipend for meeting with them.
- Staying eligible: FAFSA every year, complete two-thirds of classes and keep a 2.0 GPA (2.5 at universities).
- Path Back: Detroit graduates from 2013 to 2025 can use it to start or return to community college.
Detroit is one of Michigan's Promise Zones. The state applies the Community College Guarantee after Promise Zone aid, so ask your college's financial aid office how your package adds up.
Does the Detroit Promise cover skilled trades?
Yes. It pays for 6 to 18 month Pell-eligible certificate programs at partner community colleges in automotive, construction, health care, hospitality, IT and manufacturing.
Sources: Detroit Promise, Do I qualify? · About · Community college students · Detroit Promise Path · Skilled trades · FAQ for parents
How do you apply?
- Submit the Detroit Promise application when it opens (November 2026 for the next class).
- Sign the Scholarship Acceptance Letter.
- Upload a transcript and a college acceptance letter.
- File the FAFSA. The college does a final check.
Common questions
Who qualifies for the Detroit Promise?
Detroit residents who graduate from a Detroit high school. For community college, students need junior and senior years at Detroit high schools and no GPA or test score. For the university path, they need all four years and a minimum GPA, usually 3.0.
Source: Detroit Promise
Is the Detroit Promise application open?
The application closed July 1, 2026 and reopens in November 2026 for the next graduating class. Check the official Detroit Promise site for dates.
Source: Detroit Promise