Nearly 20,000 Michigan students have entered to win up to $50,000 for college or career training by completing the 2025-26 FAFSA

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is reminding students across the state that time is running out to enter the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes. With the deadline quickly approaching at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 16, students still have a chance to complete the 2025-26 FAFSA and enter to win a share of nearly $1 million in education funding.

“We’re in the final stretch of Ticket to Tuition, and we’re urging Michigan students to act now, take advantage of this opportunity, and invest in their future,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “All it takes is a few minutes to complete the FAFSA, and you could be $50,000 closer to achieving your dreams. On top of that, completing the FAFSA can unlock other critical financial aid to help support students on their journeys toward college or career training. If you haven’t filled it out yet, now’s the time.”

So far, nearly 20,000 students across Michigan have entered to win one of forty $10,000 prizes or one of ten $50,000 grand prizes simply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025–26 academic year and texting to enter.

“This is your final week to enter the Ticket to Tuition contest – a chance for Michigan students to win up to $50,000 toward college or career training,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director at MCAN. “But there’s one crucial step you can’t miss: completing your FAFSA. This one form opens the door to scholarships, grants, and financial aid, and it’s your entry into the Ticket to Tuition contest. Take the first step toward your future. Complete your FAFSA today.” 

Students who complete the FAFSA may qualify for a range of financial aid, including:

• Federal Pell Grants.
• The Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee, offering free or reduced tuition for recent high school graduates.
• Michigan Reconnect, providing tuition-free community college for adults 25 and older.

Students and families can complete the FAFSA online by visiting FAFSA.gov or by submitting a paper form.

To enter the sweepstakes, students must:

1. Complete the 2025–26 FAFSA at FAFSA.gov
2. Text CASH to 855-50K-TICKET (855-505-8425) by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025

To be eligible, individuals must be Michigan residents completing the FAFSA for the first time for the 2025–26 school year. Sweepstakes prizes will be awarded in Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) accounts and can be used for qualified educational expenses like tuition, books, housing, and more.

Please note that while the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes ends on May 16, students can still complete the FAFSA afterward to access vital state and federal financial aid programs.

For full details and official sweepstakes rules, visit TicketToTuition.com.

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