Ferris State University says it will help cut through delays with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by announcing aid awards this month.
Less than one-third of Michigan high schools seniors have filled out a federal form required to qualify for state and federal loans, grants and scholarships. Experts worry the low submission rate could lead to low college enrollment and students missing out on free money.
It’s a tale of two university systems: The state’s flagship schools, along with Michigan Tech, have expanded enrollment in the past decade while 12 other public universities lost a collective 46,000 students, amid a smaller pool of high school graduates.
Saginaw Valley State University will unveil a free-tuition program in the coming weeks. Central Michigan University’s program is so new it’s not yet on their website. And Ferris State joined the free tuition club two weeks ago.
There are at least 11 four-year colleges and universities with tuition-free programs for designated groups of students. Include recently announced state programs offering free community college to most Michigan adults, and colleges that accept students who qualify for a special scholarship for Detroit students, and that number swells to at least 23 four-year universities and colleges and 31 community colleges.
Some of the offers are limited to students who come from low-income families or live in specific communities. And many students could have gotten tuition for free or a deep discount before the programs were announced. Still, the programs are likely to lure more students to campuses, and help the state boost degree attainment as a means to increase
Student loan relief âwould be fantasticâ as debt soars past a trillion
Ferris State Univ. official says most popular proposal from President Elect Joe Biden, new administration would be giving debtors $10,000 in loan relief Videos
and last updated 2020-12-10 20:31:56-05
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. â For Erica Foote, going to Ferris State University was an easy choice. Most of her family went to Michigan State University in East Lansing. However, when Ferris offered her a $6,000-a-year scholarship, she moved to Big Rapids. So far, sheâs loved it.
âIâm happy with my choice. Iâm third a generation Ferris student. My grandpa owned a pharmacy. My dad started pharmacy school,â Foote said during a Zoom interview on Thursday. âSo, thatâll be kind of cool but definitely they werenât in the same amount of debt coming out as all of us are going to be.â