Fostering Success Michigan Financial Aid Guide
For Students with Experience in Foster Care in Michigan

This guide was created for students with experience in foster care who want to pursue education after high school. Whether you're pursuing a skilled trade, community college, or university, this guide will help you navigate Michigan’s financial resources.

This is the comprehensive version of our financial aid guide that includes details on each resource. For our shorter version, check out the EASY Financial Aid Guide for Students. 

If you are a supportive adult helping a student work through these steps, check out our Financial Aid Guide for Professionals for additional details and best practices. 

The “Free College” Myth

College is not automatically free in Michigan for students with experience in foster care — but many programs exist to help you reduce costs, cover essentials, and graduate with minimal debt. 

Tips for Using This Guide
1. Take it step-by-step
Go slowly. Don’t try to complete everything at once.
2. Go out of order
Start wherever you need to — skip around and use the guide freely.
3. Use the buddy system
Ask a trusted adult, mentor, or peer to help you navigate financial aid.
4. Ask questions
Each resource has different deadlines and eligibility rules — confusion is normal, even for professionals. Always reach out to program contacts when needed.
5. Get organized
Create a folder or list for documents you’ll need (FAFSA, TIP, ETV, etc.). Searching online for “FAFSA required documents” or “TIP Michigan required information” can help you prepare.

 

STEP 1: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Independent Student Status
If you were in foster care at any time after age 13, you may file the FAFSA as independent, allowing you to qualify for expanded aid.  Your foster care worker should give you the DHHS-945 form to verify your status.

Need help verifying your foster care history?
Contact Ann Rossi (MDHHS)
�� rossia@michigan.gov

FAFSA Help Resources

• Federal Student Aid Help Center: https://studentaid.gov/help-center/contact
• Federal Student Aid Phone Support: 1-800-433-3243
• MI Student Aid FAFSA Help Videos: https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/students-families/fafsa
• MI Student Aid Phone Help: 888-447-2687 (Mon–Fri, 9am–4:45pm)

FAFSA is always free. Never pay to complete it.

After You Submit FAFSA

• You receive a confirmation email.
• FAFSA processing takes 1–3 days.
• Schools use your information to create your financial aid offer.
• Review your FAFSA Submission Summary for errors.

Here is a great resource for understanding your financial aid offer: https://studentaid.gov/aid-offer

 

STEP 2: Explore MI Student Aid & Create a MiSSG Account 

The MI Student Aid website and MiSSG Student portal are your go-to resources for all things financial aid in Michigan! In addition to federal aid you will receive from filling out the FAFSA, this step will help you check your eligibility for many types of Michigan Student Aid.

• MI Student Aid Website: https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid
• MiSSG Student Portal: https://missg.michigan.gov/students
• Use your own email and Social Security number when creating your MiSSG account so you don't lose access later! 

Michigan Financial Aid Programs

Many of the programs below can be accessed by creating your MiSSG account and filling out the FAFSA (see above). We have included links to individual programs so you can view eligibility requirements, which are different for each program. 

Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)

The Tuition Incentive Program provides funding to students who have previously received Medicaid during specific times in their lives. Students can use TIP funds for tuition and fees at participating institutions.

Program Info:
https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/future-students/tuition-incentive-program

Here is a helpful flyer that details the program and participating institutions.

If you believe you’re eligible but didn’t receive a notification:
�� mistudentaid@michigan.gov
�� 888-447-2687

 

Fostering Futures Scholarship

The Fostering Futures Scholarship provides scholarships to Michigan undergraduate students who have been in foster care. To be eligible, you must have been in Michigan foster care due to abuse or neglect on or after your 13th birthday, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled at least half-time at a participating Michigan institution. There is no upper age limit for the Fostering Futures Scholarship! Awards typically range from $3,000–$5,000 per year. 

Learn More:
https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/fostering-futures

 

Michigan Achievement Scholarship
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help recent high school graduates in Michigan receive funds for continuing education. Eligible students could receive financial aid to attend a college or university with the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, or for a career training program with the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship.
Fact Sheet:
https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/michiganachievement

 

Community College Guarantee
Beginning Fall 2024, students from the Class of 2023 and beyond may be eligible for the Community College Guarantee, which includes:

• In-district tuition, contact hours, and mandatory fees.
• An additional $1,000 Michigan Achievement Bonus award for Pell-eligible students, which can be used toward additional college costs.
• Free in-district community college tuition

Program Info:
https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/students-families/community-college-guarantee

https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect

There is a Reconnect Program if you are over 25 and have stopped out of high school too! If you do not have a high school diploma or equivalent, visit Michigan.gov/LearnMoreEarnMore to get started. 

 

Additional Supports: 

Youth in Transition (YIT) / Chafee Funding
Youth in Transition (Michigan's name for Federal Chafee funding) is a funding source available to cover expenses related to the development of self-sufficiency for youth who experienced out-of-home care after the age of 14 and have not yet reached age 23. These funds can be used before college to help pay for things like college application fees, graduation expenses, and testing fees. 

Eligibility & Info:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/child-welfare/foster-care/youth-in-transition

 

Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
The ETV program is facilitated in Michigan by Samaritas and awards funding to current and former foster youth to help pay for college or specialized education. You can find the application link and instructions here on the Samaritas website.

Wondering if you qualify for ETV? This page provides an overview of ETV, including award amounts and qualifications. If this seems confusing, feel free to reach out directly to the folks at Samaritas for help! They can answer your questions or help you fill out the application. Their phone number is  1-877-660-METV (6388)

Program Info & Application (Samaritas):
https://www.samaritas.org/fostercare/etv
Samaritas Phone Support: 1-877-660-METV (6388)

 

Scholarships: 

Scholarships are a form of financial aid for college that is awarded to students and does not have to be repaid. They are a great way to reduce educational costs, covering expenses like tuition, fees, books, and sometimes room and board.

Scholarships are offered by a wide range of sources, including colleges and universities, private companies, non-profit organizations, and federal or state governments.
There are many types of scholarships: need-based, merit-based, field of study, and institution-based.  This can also become a bit overwhelming, as scholarships often require different types of applications or submission requirements (think writing essays). Below are a few good places to start!

Campus Support Programs: Some of the campus support programs in the FSM Network offer their own specific scholarships for youth with experience in foster care who participate in their program. The best way to find out is to contact the program directly by clicking on the link on our Campus Support Programs page. From there, you can either read through what the program offers or reach out directly to ask!
Institution-Based Scholarships: Some of the colleges and universities offer scholarships to students. The financial aid office is your best resource for institution-based scholarships. Don’t be afraid to ask your advisor what you may qualify for! Once you start attending college, you can also check in with the department associated with your major or student groups and organizations. In addition to your school's website, the FAFSA website is a good place to learn about institution-based scholarships you may qualify for.
The MI Student Aid website offers a resource page on Michigan Specific Scholarships as well as a search tool to find scholarships by location.

 

Campus Support Program Scholarships
Some FSM Network colleges offer scholarships for students involved in foster youth support programs.  This page lists the campuses in Michigan that have onsite supports for students with experience in foster care. The best way to find out is to contact the program directly by clicking on the link on our Campus Support Programs page. From there, you can either read through what the program offers or reach out directly to ask!

Campus Support Programs List:
https://fosteringsuccessmichigan.com/campus-support-programs

Institution-Based Scholarships
Check with:

• Your financial aid office
• Your academic department
• Student organizations

Michigan-Specific Scholarships Search Tool

https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/students-families/michigan-specific-scholarships

Safe Online Scholarship Search Tips

Google can help — use keywords related to your major, interests, or experiences.

Avoid sites that:

• Ask you to pay
• Request sensitive personal information
• Seems suspicious

Ask a trusted adult if you're unsure about a website.