Legislation
State amendment M — Higher education; community colleges; in-district tuition rates for active service and reserve members and honorably discharged veterans; provide for. Amends sec. 7, art. VIII of the state constitution.
State amendment N — Higher education; tuition; public universities to offer in-state tuition to certain veterans; require. Amends secs. 5 & 6, art. VIII of the state constitution.
Michigan’s public universities are giving veterans a helping hand to cover the cost of college, as all 15 schools are offering in-state tuition rates to all veterans, even former soldiers from out of state. The Presidents’ Council of State Universities of Michigan announced that the state’s 15 schools would expand in-state tuition to all veterans regardless of residency or active duty status. The schools already offer in-state tuition to active duty military members and their dependents. The council also announced a partnership with the state’s community colleges to establish the Consortium of Michigan Veteran Educators, a group which will collaborate on providing additional services to veterans.
Also, on June 10, 2015, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law a measure that would allow veterans and active duty military members to receive academic credits for some of their military experience at Michigan colleges and universities. One of the main purposes of this law is to preserve a service members GI Bill benefit that they’ve earned.
State Education Reimbursement Program:
The fiscal year budget for the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs provides an appropriation for the continuation of a State Education Reimbursement Program (SERP) for members of the Michigan Air and Army National Guard. The program is designed to offset tuition costs for members of the Michigan National Guard, of up to $2,000 per year, who enroll in approved courses of instruction offered at colleges, universities, and technical colleges and vocational/trade schools in Michigan.
Eligibility: Members must be in good standing and participating in either the Michigan Air or Army National Guard to be eligible for the State Education Reimbursement Program.
University & College Tuition Grants:
The Michigan National Guard has worked with several Michigan universities and colleges to offer tuition grants. These grants, used in conjunction with other available tuition assistance programs and the Montgomery GI Bill, can enable Guard members to attend selected colleges and universities at no cost. Several other organizations offer scholarships to Michigan National Guard members.
Eligibility: Michigan National Guard members.
National Guard Association of Michigan Tuition Grants:
The National Guard Association of Michigan (NGAM) has scholarships available that eligible members may apply for. NGAM scholarship awards vary depending on the number of applications received. NGAM reviews applications twice a year. The application must be postmarked by 15 June for the June selection and by 15 November for the November selection.
Eligibility: Current, active National Guard Association of Michigan member, Enlisted, warrant officer through CW3, or commissioned officer through Captain, attending a college, university, or trade school.
Michigan State Approving Agency
Victor Office Center; 3rd Floor
201 North Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913
Phone: 517-241-6806
Fax: 517-373-2759
Sources: Student Veterans of America, American Legion