Michigan benefits for college students

Food assistance: Food Assistance Program (FAP)

Michigan's name for SNAP, run by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →

MDHHS says Michigan college students may be eligible for SNAP if they meet income and other rules and are enrolled at least half-time in an occupational program that leads to employment under the federal Perkins V career and technical education law. Students need documentation from their school verifying their major and program or course of study.

Apply for Food Assistance Program (FAP) · Michigan's page for students

Health coverage: Healthy Michigan Plan (Michigan Medicaid)

Michigan has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →

Apply for Healthy Michigan Plan (Michigan Medicaid)

Child care help: Child Development and Care (CDC) Scholarship

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. An 'approved activity' need reason includes post-secondary education (online programs can be approved) and employment preparation or training. Child care cannot be approved for graduate, medical, or law school. Study time of up to one hour per hour of class can be authorized if requested. In two-parent homes, both parents need a valid need reason.

Apply for Child Development and Care (CDC) Scholarship · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

Michigan Lifeline: A state discount on landline voice phone service only: $8.25 to $10.25 a month for people under 65 (depends on the provider), and at least $12.35 a month for people 65 and older. Same income rule (at or below 135% of the poverty level) or program list (Medicaid, SNAP, etc.) as federal Lifeline. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline (Michigan Lifeline)

Taxes

If you qualify for and claim the federal EITC, you get a Michigan credit worth 30% of your federal EITC by filing an MI-1040; if you don't qualify federally, you don't qualify in Michigan. Michigan Treasury eServices lets you prepare and file your Michigan individual income tax return online for free. Treasury also lists free commercial e-file offers for qualifying filers.

Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families (Michigan EITC) · Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →

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