Michigan Families with Annual Incomes Up to 5,000 to Qualify for Free Tuition
In a significant expansion of its financial aid program, the University of Michigan has announced that families with annual incomes up to 5,000 will qualify for the Go Blue Guarantee, a tuition assistance initiative aimed at facilitating access to higher education for students from a range of economic backgrounds. This program is set to impact approximately 2,200 additional in-state, current undergraduate students across the university’s campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint, beginning in the fall of 2025.
The decision was formally announced on December 5, 2023, and represents a pivotal shift in the university’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities. Under the new guidelines, full-time undergraduate students whose family incomes and assets do not exceed 5,000 will be eligible to receive free tuition. This expansion will mean that since the program’s inception, more than 10,000 students will have benefited from the Go Blue Guarantee.
University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono emphasized the transformative power of the initiative, stating, “The Go Blue Guarantee breaks down economic barriers and ensures that a world-class education is available to Michigan students from all backgrounds, regardless of their family’s economic situation.” He reiterated the university’s dedication to affordability and equitable access to education.
Originally launched in January 2018, the Go Blue Guarantee initially catered to students from families earning up to ,000 and continues to adapt in response to the changing economic landscape. In 2021, eligibility was broadened to include students from the Dearborn and Flint campuses, contingent on maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.5. As of 2023, the income thresholds were raised to ,000, further reflecting the university’s commitment to meeting the needs of Michigan families.
The University of Michigan has pledged to invest an additional .8 million annually to support this expanded initiative, which aims to bolster the accessibility of higher education amid rising economic challenges. Katherine E. White, chair of the Board of Regents, reinforced the university’s mission to serve the public and make higher education attainable for working- and middle-class families across the state.
Chancellors from both the Dearborn and Flint campuses echoed this sentiment, noting that many of their students are first-generation college attendees and PELL eligible. These financial aids are crucial in making a collegiate education a possibility for those who might otherwise face significant hurdles.
While undergraduate financial aid at the Ann Arbor campus has seen an annual increase of over 9% in the past decade, similar upward trends have been observed at the Dearborn and Flint campuses, where aid has risen by approximately 9% and 6%, respectively. As a result, a greater proportion of in-state students now receive grant or scholarship assistance, enabling them to pursue their educational goals with less reliance on loans.
Adele C. Brumfield, vice provost for enrollment management, indicated that the Go Blue Guarantee not only alleviates financial burdens but also encourages students from diverse backgrounds to consider the life-altering opportunities a U-M education can provide.
Notably, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor distinguishes itself as the only public institution in Michigan that meets the full demonstrated financial need for in-state students, offering further support to those with family incomes up to 0,000. Meanwhile, the Dearborn and Flint campuses pledge to continue offering substantial financial aid for qualifying students who fall outside of the Go Blue Guarantee parameters.
For additional information about the Go Blue Guarantee and eligibility requirements, prospective students and their families can visit Go Blue Guarantee.
