Grants

Unlike a loan, grants do not have to be repaid. The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income students to promote access to postsecondary education. 

Grant Amount

Grant amounts are dependent on the student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) and the student’s enrollment status (full-time or part-time). 

2025-2026 Amount:
Up to $7,395. Awarded by the federal government according to the Pell Grant formula.

Eligibility Limit

Effective July 1, 2012, you can receive the Federal Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters or the equivalent (roughly six years). You’ll receive a notice if you’re getting close to your limit.

The SEOG Program provides need-based grants to help low-income undergraduate students finance the costs of postsecondary education.

Grant Amount

Up to $850. Awarded to Pell-eligible students with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI) until funds are used up. 

Eligibility Determination

Each participating school receives a certain amount of SEOG funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid. When making SEOG awards, the institution must give priority to those students with “exceptional need”, and is awarded on a first come, first serve basis. 

Secondary and Elementary education majors may be eligible for the Federal TEACH Grant.

The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching.  As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach in a high-need field at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.

You must be enrolled in one of the following majors at Alma College to be eligible for the TEACH Grant:

• Biology, Secondary Teaching Major
• Chemistry, Secondary Teaching Major
• Math, Secondary Teaching Major
• Physics, Secondary Teaching Major
• Special Education,Secondary or Elementary Teaching Major
• any other field that has been identified as high-need by the federal government, a state government, or a local education agency, and that is included in the annual Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing(Nationwide List).
  If you plan to teach in a high-need field that is included in the Nationwide List, that field must be listed for the state where you teach either at the time you begin your qualifying teaching service or at the time you received a TEACH Grant.

Students pursuing a second Bachelor degree or certification are not eligible.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you receive a TEACH Grant but do not complete the required teaching service, you will be required to repay the grants as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

On March 23, 2018 the President authorized the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act. Students are eligible for this whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty as a public safety officer. Previously separate fund source.  Eligible students will now be eligible for Pell Grant via completion of the FAFSA..

If you feel you may be eligible please indicate so on your FAFSA or you may email finaid@alma.edu for next steps.

As defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b);

or

A fire police officer, defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned special event.

Have been less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death; and Be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible EFC. In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible EFC and continues to be an eligible student.

The MTG is awarded, based on need, to students enrolled at Michigan independent colleges and universities. Eligibility requirements include:

• Apply via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1, 2025.
• Awards range up to $3,000 per year and may be renewed each year based on a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Maximum terms of eligibility: 10 semesters.
• Michigan residency is required from July 1 of the year before enrollment.
• Students enrolled at least half-time are eligible if need is established.

HOW TO APPLY

Filing a FAFSA by July 1, 2025, qualifies you for the Michigan Tuition Grant/Competitive Scholarship, but additional requirements apply:

• Alma College must be the first school listed on your FAFSA before July of the year you will be entering college or designated as your school of choice in the MI Student Portal.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Possess a high school diploma, certificate of completion, or general educational development certificate (GED)
• Be a Michigan resident (student and parent) since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or approved refugee.
• Meet institution’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy
• Must not be in default on a Federal/State student loan.

Effective Academic Year 2024-25, students who have not initiated (received a paid award) in 2023-24 or prior will no longer be eligible for the Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG). Students who remain eligible for MTG and Michigan Achievement Scholarship for Academic Year 2024-25 may receive up to $3,000 from MTG and up to $5,500 from Michigan Achievement Scholarship provided all eligibility and packaging guidelines are met.

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help students pursue their dreams, goals and aspirations in the Mitten State! Graduating high school seniors may be eligible for up to up to $27,500 over five years in financial aid just by filling out the new and simplified FAFSA. 

Those who qualify could receive:  

• Up to $5,500 if they attend a Michigan public university, private college or university or are enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at a Michigan community college, per year, up to five years 

To receive a Michigan Achievement Scholarship, students must: 

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

• Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. 

• If you are a dependent student, your parent must also be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. 

• Graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma or a certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after. 

• Demonstrate financial need when they complete the FAFSA— for Academic Year 2025-26, by having a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $30,000 or less. 
• Enroll full-time at an eligible institution 
• Including Michigan community colleges, tribal colleges, and public or private universities.  
• Enroll at an eligible institution within 15 months of high school graduation or earning a high school equivalency certificate.

Note: Students are not eligible if they are incarcerated or are in default on a federal student loan. 

Renewal Requirements: 

The renewal policy for Michigan Achievement Scholarship requires a student to: 

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. 

• Continue to be a Michigan resident. 

• Have an Student Aid Index (SAI) of $30,000 or less. 

• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). 

If eligibility is lost, the student can regain eligibility once the renewal requirements are met. 

TIP encourages eligible Medicaid recipients to complete high school by providing tuition assistance for college. The award is limited to tuition and mandatory fees.

Alma College participates in Phase II of the TIP Program. Students will not be eligible to receive TIP at Alma until they have earned 56 credit hours or their Associates Degree.

Students must select Alma College each year by:

• Listing Alma College as their first choice on the FAFSA
• Selecting Alma College within the MiSSG Student Portal (www.michigan.gov/missg)
• Calling the MiSSG office to indicate Alma College as their choice at 1-888-4-GRANTS

The Children of Veterans Tuition Grant provides undergraduate tuition assistance to students older than 16 and less than 26 years of age who are the natural or adopted child of a Michigan veteran. The veteran must have died or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of military service.

An application is required and can be completed through the MiSSG Student Portal. In addition to the CVTG application, the following documents must also be submitted:

• Applicant’s (child’s) birth certificate (must list parents’ names).
• Veteran’s discharge certificate or separation document (DD Form 214 or Casualty Report).
• Veteran’s death certificate or casualty report.
• Proof of total and permanent disability or death due to service-incurred causes.
• Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The first institution listed on the FAFSA will be considered the priority school. Students are responsible for notifying MI Student Aid of a change in their college choice. This can be done through the MiSSG Student Portal or by calling 1-888-447-2687.

Undergraduate students may receive scholarship assistance for up to four academic years and a total of up to $11,200 (whichever comes first). Future awards are subject to available and approved funding.

When a student receives this award, they agree to work in Michigan classrooms.

• If you receive one year of funding from the MI Future Educator Fellowship you agree to work as a certified teacher in a public, nonpublic, or public preschool program in Michigan for three years.
• If you receive two years of funding from the MI Future Educator Fellowship you agree to work as a certified teacher in a public, nonpublic, or public preschool program in Michigan for four years.
• If you receive three years of funding from the MI Future Educator Fellowship you agree to work as a certified teacher in a public, nonpublic, or public preschool program in Michigan for five years.
• If you teach in a critical needs district your service obligation may be less.

If a student does not meet this service obligation requirement and/or does not finish the teacher certification program, the fellowship converts to a 0% interest rate loan with a repayment term of 10 years.

The MI Future Educator Stipend is up to a $9,600 stipend to support Michigan’s hardworking student teachers as they continue their journey to being in the classroom full-time. It is paid per semester to be used towards allowable student teaching expenses (tuition, living expenses, childcare, etc.)

The Fostering Futures Scholarship (FFS), a State of Michigan* program, provides scholarships to young adults who have experienced foster care on or after their 13th birthday. The State of Michigan works with individuals, community organizations, and businesses to encourage charitable contributions that go towards Fostering Futures Scholarship funds.

Awards are paid directly to the students’ institution to assist with unmet need in one or more of the following categories:

• Tuition/Fees
• Room/Board
• Books/Supplies

*State of Michigan departments that are involved are the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Michigan Department of Treasury-Student Scholarships and Grants (SSG) and Michigan Education Trust (MET).

The student is responsible for notifying SSG of a change of address or college choice. Students must complete an application annually during the open enrollment period.

Samaritas guides foster youth through college with federally-funded education assistance grants. Samaritas grants and case managers support foster youth toward obtaining their educational goals.