Michigan Reconnect
Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP)
Tuition-free community college for Michigan adults 21 and older without a college degree: covers in-district tuition, mandatory fees and contact hours (last-dollar).
- How much
- free in-district tuition, mandatory fees and contact hours at a Michigan community college (last-dollar); out-of-district students get up to the in-district rate
- Who qualifies
- At least 21 years old when you apply. Lived in Michigan for at least one year (independent students: 12 months continuous residency before the program begins; dependent students: FAFSA contributor a Michigan resident on or before July 1, 2025 for 2026-27). High school diploma, GED or certificate of completion. No associate or bachelor's degree yet.
- For adults going back to school, undergrads
- When to apply
- Apply any time Rolling; apply any time before enrolling.
- How to apply
- 1) Apply online for Michigan Reconnect (about five minutes) in the MiSSG Student Portal
- 2) Apply to a Michigan public community college or Tribal college
- 3) File the FAFSA
- 4) Enroll in an eligible program and start classes
- What you'll need
- state application + FAFSA
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (michigan.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Last-dollar scholarship: Pell Grant and other state tuition-restricted aid are applied first and Reconnect pays the rest of in-district tuition, mandatory fees (including things like online or lab fees) and contact hours. If you do not qualify for Pell or other state aid, Reconnect pays the full in-district amount. If you attend a community college where you are out-of-district, Reconnect pays only up to the in-district rate and you may owe the difference. Usable for any Pell-eligible skill certificate or associate degree program at all 28 Michigan public community colleges and 2 Tribal colleges. Not covered: application and graduation fees, non-mandatory fees, textbooks. Eligibility continues until you earn an associate degree or reach four years from your first Reconnect semester, if you stay a Michigan resident, file the FAFSA, earn at least 12 credits toward your program each academic year, and meet SAP or keep a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
More money from Michigan
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship (college and university)up to $5,500 per year, up to five years (up to $27,500)
- Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarshipup to $2,000 per year for up to two years
- MI Future Educator Stipendup to $9,600 per student teaching semester (lifetime max two stipends)
- Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guaranteein-district tuition, contact hours and mandatory fees (tuition-free); plus a $1,000 Michigan Achievement Bonus for Pell-eligible students
- Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)Phase I: in-district tuition and mandatory fees for a certificate or associate degree; Phase II: up to $500 per semester, up to $2,000 total, toward a bachelor's degree
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.