College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

In December, the Michigan Department of Treasury and MI Student Aid announced that the Michigan FAFSA priority deadline has been permanently extended to May 1. As you work with students in this crucial time leading up to graduation, it's important to understand what this deadline means.

The Michigan FAFSA priority deadline does not apply to the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Created with bipartisan support, the Michigan Achievement Scholarshipoffers Michigan students up to $27,500 over five years to attend an in-state institution. This scholarship will continue to be awarded to eligible students until funding runs out, which we don't expect to happen. Students need to file a FAFSA to find out if they're eligible, and there is still time to take advantage of this incredible financial aid opportunity.

The priority deadline applies only to the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and the Michigan Tuition Grant. Students who may be eligible for those opportunities should file the FAFSA by May 1, because there is no guarantee the state will award them after that date. There is no FAFSA priority deadline for any other State of Michigan scholarship or grant program.

Many financial aid opportunities, including institutional aid, are FAFSA-dependent and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's always in your students' best interests to file their FAFSA and apply to colleges as soon as possible. However, other financial aid sources, including the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and federal Pell Grants, will be available for much longer, so don't let your students get discouraged if they haven't filed the FAFSA yet. 

There is still time to file, and there is still money available!