Michigan Universities Lobby to Expand State Scholarship

Students pursuing associate degrees at these four-year schools may gain access to state-funded tuition assistance.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Financial Aid

Michigan Universities Lobby to Expand State Scholarship

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Should states fund associate degrees at four-year universities to help rural students access free tuition?

Four Michigan public universities are lobbying state lawmakers to include them in the Community College Guarantee scholarship program. If approved, the change would allow students earning associate degrees at these four-year institutions to access the tuition-covering aid currently reserved for two-year community colleges.

Why it matters

University leaders argue that these institutions serve students in regions with few alternatives, and expanding the program could help the state reach its goal of 60% postsecondary credential attainment. The move aims to remove a policy hurdle that restricts funding based on institution type rather than degree level.

The expansion proposal carries an estimated annual cost of $18 million to $20 million, covering students at Ferris State University, Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, and Michigan Technological University. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the state's Community College Guarantee program provided an average award of $2,327 to 20,007 students.

The players

Ferris State University

A four-year public university based in Big Rapids that offers associate degrees and is leading the effort to expand state aid eligibility.

Northern Michigan University

A public university in Marquette that provides associate degrees and is seeking inclusion in the state scholarship program.

Lake Superior State University

A public institution providing associate degrees that is lobbying state lawmakers to allow its students to access the guarantee program.

Michigan Technological University

A public university offering associate degrees that is part of the legislative push to expand scholarship access.

The details

The Community College Guarantee functions as a last-dollar scholarship, filling the gap between a student's total tuition costs and any federal financial aid received. While the program currently limits this support to two-year community colleges, the four universities seeking access offer associate degrees that are currently ineligible for these funds. Leaders of these schools note that tuition for 30 credit hours at their campuses costs approximately three times more than at a standard community college.

1950s: Ferris State University began offering associate degree programs.
2023: The Michigan Achievement Scholarship program officially launched.
2024: The Community College Guarantee program launched in the fall.
2024-2025: Michigan awarded $46.6 million in state funds to 20,007 students.
2030: Michigan aims to reach a 60% postsecondary credential attainment rate.

Education Landscape

The push to include four-year public universities in the Community College Guarantee marks a potential shift in how Michigan manages its state-funded student aid. It follows the 2023 launch of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and reflects broader efforts to reach a 60% credential attainment goal.

Current students at these four universities should monitor state legislative updates to see if eligibility for the guarantee program changes before upcoming enrollment periods. Families should speak with their school's financial-aid office to verify if other existing state programs already apply to their specific degree path.

The takeaway

The move to expand aid eligibility highlights a growing focus on supporting associate degree students regardless of their institution type. Students pursuing these degrees should maintain a record of all current tuition costs and federal aid documentation to prepare for potential future eligibility changes.