The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, known as MiLEAP, announced $10 million in Universal FAFSA Challenge Awards. The funding supports students completing their FAFSA for college or career training.
Out of the 67 school districts across the state receiving funding, 19 are in West Michigan, including Jenison, Zeeland, and Greenville Public Schools.
According to MiLEAP, FAFSA completion rates in Michigan have shown a significant increase, with the Class of 2025 submitting more than 67,000 applications, the highest total since 2019.
FAFSA completion serves as a gateway to state and federal scholarships and loans, such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Community College Guarantee, which gives students up to $27,000 toward a four-year degree or a tuition-free path toward an associate degree or skill certificate.
The Universal FAFSA Challenge is now in its second year. It awards funds to school districts that adopt FAFSA completion as a graduation requirement, with an opt-out process for qualifying students.
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