Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

Basic types of financial aid

Grant Programs

Federal Pell Grant (FPELL)

This federal grant program is for students without a bachelor's degree in an undergraduate program who demonstrates exceptional financial need. The federal government each academic year determines award eligibility and amount. The current range is $400-$4,050. Enrollment requirements range from less than half-time to full-time depending on individual eligibility.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This federal grant program is for students without a bachelor's degree in an undergraduate program who demonstrates exceptional financial need. The award is determined by the College and is based on funds available each year. Enrollment requirements range from less than half-time to full-time depending on individual eligibility.

Michigan Educational Opportunity Grant (MEOG)

This state grant program provides up to $1,000 per academic year to students with demonstrated exceptional financial need. Students must enroll in at least six credit hours per semester and must have been continuous residents of Michigan for 12 months.

Michigan Adult Part-Time Grant (APTG)

This state grant program provides up to $600 per academic year to students with financial need who enroll for three to eleven credit hours per semester, are considered independent students according to federal guidelines and have been out of high school at least two years (other than GED). The award is determined by the College and is based on funds available each year.

Michigan Native American Tuition Waiver

Michigan residents who are native North Americans and are certified one-quarter blood quantum by their tribal association may be eligible for tuition assistance funds. Information and requirements are available through the Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility.

Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)

This state grant program provides funding for tuition and mandatory fees to students who are under age 20, are high school graduates or have earned a GED. The Michigan Department of Treasury through Family Independence Agency Medicaid records certifies eligibility for each recipient. TIP only pays for tuition and fees at the resident college rates. Students must enroll in at least six credit hours per semester.

Women’s Resource Center (WRC) Special Populations Program

The Special Populations Program, administered through the Women's Resource Center, has funds available for single parents, displaced homemakers and persons in programs considered nontraditional for their genders. This assistance is granted for tuition, textbooks and child care. Contact the WRC at (734) 462-4443 or visit the office in the McDowell Center.

Scholarship Programs

In addition to the scholarships listed here, students should consult the Scholarship Book in the Office of Financial Aid or the Radcliff Center main office. The Scholarship Book contains the current scholarship opportunities.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship

This state scholarship provides up to $1,300 per academic year to students who achieve required scores on the ACT exam, demonstrate financial need, and enroll in an eligible Michigan college or university. The Michigan Department of Treasury determines eligibility and award amount.

Michigan Merit Award

This state scholarship provides a $2,500 award, $1,250 awarded in each of two consecutive years, to graduating high school seniors who meet Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) High School Testing scores and other criteria as determined by the Michigan Merit Award Board. Those students who meet the criteria for the middle school MEAP exams, as determined by the State of Michigan, may be eligible for additional funds of up to $500.

Michigan Promise Scholarship

The Michigan Promise scholarship provides up to $4000 to high school graduates for successfully completing two years of postsecondary education beginning with the high school graduating class of 2007. Students who receive qualifying scores on the state assessment test (MEAP or Merit) depending on high school graduation class year, may receive up to a $1,000 scholarship installment payment for each of their first two years of postsecondary education. Students can also receive up to $2000 after the successful completion of two years of postsecondary education with at lease a 2.5 grade point average for an associate’s degree, two-year certificate, vocational education program or 50 percent of the academic requirements for a bachelor’s degree. For more information visit www.michigan.gov/promise.

Schoolcraft College Athletic Scholarship

Contact the Athletic Department at (734) 462-4400, ext. 5564 for information.

Schoolcraft College Institutional Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid awards a limited number of scholarships each academic year to students who demonstrate financial need. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Schoolcraft College Foundation Scholarships

Through generous public and private scholarship donations, the Schoolcraft College Foundation helps students reach their educational goals. Community members and organizations are encouraged to establish scholarships and endowments honoring special persons or groups while assisting Schoolcraft College students.

In general, most scholarships require a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and enrollment in at least six credit hours. Consult the Scholarship Book in the Office of Financial Aid or the Radcliff Center main office for current scholarship opportunities. Foundation scholarships are generally awarded for the fall and winter semesters.

Schoolcraft College Faculty Academic Scholarships

This scholarship is available to students who have earned 12 credit hours at Schoolcraft College, have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and meet individual departmental scholarship criteria. Faculty committees establish scholarship requirements and select the recipients of these awards. Students must enroll in at least six credit hours. Faculty scholarships are normally awarded for the winter semester only.

Consult the Scholarship Book in the Office of Financial Aid or the Radcliff Center main office for current scholarship opportunities.

Women’s Resource Center (WRC) Scholarships

Women’s Resource Center scholarships are available to those who may or may not qualify for federal or state financial aid. The WRC works vigorously to ensure scholarship opportunities are available for all women, with a special emphasis on adult women returning to school. Scholarship information is available at the WRC.

Work-Study Employment

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

This federal work-study program provides funds for part-time employment on campus.

Michigan Work-Study (MWS)

This state work-study program provides funds for part-time employment on campus.

Student Loans

Federal Stafford Loan

These low interest loans are made by a bank, credit union or other lender. To receive a Subsidized Stafford Loan, the student must demonstrate financial need. Subsidized loans are exempt from interest accrual until six months after the student ceases attending on at least a half-time basis. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans have the same terms as a Subsidized Stafford, except borrowers are responsible for interest that accrues while they are in school, and the loan is not based on demonstrated financial need. Interest rates on both these loans are fixed at 6.8 percent.

Federal PLUS Loan

Federal PLUS Loans are for parents who want to borrow money to help pay for their dependent children's education. PLUS loans are not based on demonstrated financial need; however, the student must first apply for need-based aid before applying for a PLUS loan. The interest rate is variable, determined annually and are fixed at 8.5 percent. Parents who have no adverse credit history may apply for PLUS Loans.

Michigan (MI) Alternative Student Loan

The MI-Loan Program is not based on demonstrated financial need; however, a student first must apply for need-based aid before applying for this loan. Loans range from $500 up to the full cost of attendance. Information and applications are available by contacting the Michigan Higher Education Student Loan Authority online at www.miloanprogram.com or by calling 1 (888) 643-7521.

Due to the current and unprecedented capital markets disruption, there is not sufficient available capital to continue making MI-LOANs. After considerable analysis and significant efforts to secure sufficient MI-LOAN capital to make new MI-LOANS, the difficult decision to temporarily suspend MI-LOANs had to be made.

Therefore, the MI-LOAN Program will be temporarily suspended at the close of business on Friday, February 15, 2008. When conditions warrant and funds become available, the MI-LOAN Program will be reinstated.

This temporary suspension will not affect any MI-LOANs for which school certifications have been received as of February 15, 2008, and those loans will continue to be disbursed in accordance with current MI-LOAN procedures. As the school certification process takes time, new MI-LOAN applications will not be accepted online after Wednesday, February 13, 2008.