Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)
MI Student Aid, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP)
Tuition for a certificate or associate degree (Phase I) and up to $2,000 toward a bachelor's (Phase II) for Michigan students who had Medicaid for 24 months between age 9 and high school graduation.
- How much
- 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
- Who qualifies
- Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-month period between age 9 and high school graduation (identified by MDHHS). High school diploma or equivalent before age 20 (21 for state-approved Early/Middle College, 26 for special education students). Start within four years of high school completion. At least half-time enrollment and SAP. Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year (for dependent students, the FAFSA contributor(s) must be Michigan residents too). Not in default on a federal student loan.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- US citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time No application deadline stated; file the current-year FAFSA. You must start using TIP within four years of high school completion.
- How to apply
- Students identified by MDHHS as Medicaid-eligible are notified (as young as 12)
- File the FAFSA each year and enroll at least half-time at a participating Michigan college within four years of finishing high school
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (michigan.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Phase I covers standard in-district tuition at participating Michigan community colleges (out-of-district rate may be authorized for students who live outside any community college district), lower-level resident tuition at public universities for certificate/associate programs, and at private nonprofit colleges and tribal colleges the average community college rate per credit ($138 in 2026-27) plus mandatory fees up to $450 per semester. Contact hours and tiered tuition are not covered, and only classes in your program of study count. Phase I is capped at 80 semester credits and ends ten years after first payment. Phase II starts after 56 transferable semester credits, a one-year certificate or an associate degree, and pays in-district tuition and mandatory fees up to $500 per semester ($400 per term), up to $2,000 total, toward a bachelor's degree; it must be completed within 30 months of finishing Phase I and within ten years of high school graduation. You can be in Phase II without having used Phase I, but once Phase II starts Phase I ends. TIP can be combined with the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.
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
- Michigan Reconnectfree 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
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.