FAFSA applications up by almost 8,000 from last year

Greater than 67,000 highschool graduates in Michigan accomplished purposes for federal pupil help final spring, a 6% improve from final yr.

The Michigan Division of Lifelong Training, Development, and Potential and the Michigan Faculty Entry Community mentioned 67,365 college students, or 56.9%, have accomplished the Free Utility for Federal Pupil Support (FAFSA). 56.9% of graduates accomplished .

Finishing the FAFSA makes college students eligible for federal, state, and college-based monetary help for two- and four-year schools or profession faculties, together with grants, work-study funds, and loans. By submitting the shape, college students and their dad and mom present details about their monetary state of affairs, which is then utilized by faculties to find out their eligibility for help.

“With greater than 67,000 college students finishing the FAFSA this yr, Michigan continues to construct momentum in increasing entry to varsity and profession schooling,” mentioned Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP.

Functions for this yr’s seniors will stay open till June 30, 2026.

Earlier this yr, the state awarded as much as $50,000 to 50 college students by way of the Ticket to Tuition Giveaway, which inspired greater than 21,000 college students to finish the FAFSA.

The state additionally launched the $10 million Common FAFSA Problem, which inspires college districts to combine completion of the FAFSA into their highschool commencement necessities.

“The rise we’re seeing reveals what is feasible after we purposefully work on the bottom to attach college students and households with the knowledge and assist they want,” mentioned Sarah Szurpicki, deputy director of MiLEAP’s Workplace of Larger Training. “We are going to proceed to construct on this momentum in order that much more college students could make assured, knowledgeable choices about their postsecondary future.”

As a part of Michigan Faculty Month, which is well known in October, establishments throughout the state are additionally providing to waive utility charges to make it extra reasonably priced for college kids to use to varsity.