Beginning this fall, thousands of students in Michigan will have increased access to higher education thanks to the state’s newly approved 2025 education budget, which makes community college tuition-free for recent high school graduates.
Signed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday, the Michigan Community College Guarantee covers the cost of in-district tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying students. According to estimates from the Whitmer administration, the move is expected to benefit more than 18,000 graduates annually, potentially saving each student up to $4,800 per year.
To be eligible, students must have graduated from high school in 2023 or later, completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and enrolled full-time in a community college within 15 months of graduation. Students are required to maintain full-time enrollment in college and renew their FAFSA annually for a maximum of three years, with no income limitations.
The program covers tuition within a student’s local community college district, and while students have the flexibility to attend any community college in Michigan, those opting for colleges outside their district may face out-of-pocket costs to cover the difference between in-district and out-of-district tuition rates. Qualifying students who receive the federal Pell Grant can receive an additional $1,000 from the state to help cover expenses such as books and supplies.
“More than anything, the Community College Guarantee sends a very clear message to high school students that not only can they afford to go to college, they really do need to continue their education beyond high school,” Brandy Johnson, president of Michigan Community College Association, told the Michigan Advance in an interview. “It helps to build a college-going culture.”
Michigan already offers some accessible community college programs, and this move further expands the pathway towards affordable post-secondary education, ensuring that more students can pursue their educational dreams without the financial burden of tuition costs.
