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DOWAGIAC — Southwestern Michigan College believes its new free tuition scholarship program, the Green Light Guarantee, reinforces its commitment to providing accessible and affordable education for all recent and future Michigan high school graduates pursuing a college degree.

Starting in the fall of 2025, the Green Light Guarantee’s advantage is that students can attend SMC tuition-free in Michigan.

The Green Light Guarantee enhances the state Community College Guarantee program, which only covers in-district tuition costs.

“This commitment, on the part of SMC, to extend the state’s new scholarship program to any recent Michigan high school graduate is indicative of our belief in the SMC difference,” President Dr. Joseph L. Odenwald said. “This opens the door to high-quality academics, inspiring arts and competitive athletics in a residential setting to thousands more Michiganders.”

To qualify for the Green Light Guarantee, students must meet Community College Guarantee eligibility requirements:

• Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If you are a dependent student, your parents must have been Michigan residents since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
• Graduate from a high school in Michigan.
• Enroll at a community college as a fulltime student (at least 12 credits) within 15 months of high school graduation.

To get started, students must:
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• Apply for admission to SMC at swmich.edu/apply. Students must be accepted at SMC and registered for classes to receive a final scholarship offer.

For more information about the Green Light Guarantee, visit swmich.edu/guarantee.