Local School Districts and Public School Academies Encouraged to Apply for Funding to Integrate FAFSA Completion in High Schools, Empower Students to Unlock Financial Aid Opportunities

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) announced today that applications are now open for the Universal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Challenge. The new initiative is designed to assist local school districts and public school academies in adopting a universal FAFSA policy to increase FAFSA completion rates among Michigan high school seniors.

“MiLEAP is excited to present this incredible opportunity for Michigan schools to ignite the potential of students all across the state,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “We invite every district to consider taking on the Universal FAFSA Challenge. Together, we can ensure that every student has access to the financial resources they need to continue their educational journeys and position themselves for future success.”

Local school districts and public school academies are encouraged to apply for a share of $10 million in available funding to integrate FAFSA completion into their high school graduation requirements, with a simple opt-out provision for qualifying students. Participating districts will use awarded funds to implement evidence-based FAFSA completion strategies and activities to provide students essential supports throughout the application process.

“Schools play a critical role in helping students discover their passions and build a path to achieving their goals after high school. Completing the FAFSA helps students make informed choices about their next steps,” said Michelle Richard, deputy director of Higher Education at MiLEAP. “It is the key to unlocking valuable federal and state funding opportunities, such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee. We’re eager to see districts rise to this challenge to help students unleash their potential and achieve their dreams.”

The application for the Universal FAFSA Challenge will close on Dec. 1, 2024. Funding will be awarded based on the number of 12^th-grade students in qualifying districts. Qualifying districts can anticipate receiving their award no later than Jan. 31, 2025.

For more information on how to apply for the Universal FAFSA Challenge and other resources, visit the MiLEAP Office of Higher Education webpage.

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