LANSING — Time is running out for eligible individuals from the Class of 2018 who have graduated with a high school diploma or equivalent to claim their Tuition Incentive Program benefits, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

The grant program —commonly referred to as TIP — encourages eligible Medicaid recipients to complete high school by providing college tuition assistance.  Eligible TIP students have four years from graduation to begin using their TIP benefits.

The application deadline is Aug. 31 for eligible students to apply for TIP, a program administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury’s Student Financial Services Bureau.  TIP covers 24 credit hours of tuition per academic year for a total of 80 overall credits at participating Michigan community colleges.  TIP covers the in-district tuition rate at 4-year public colleges and universities and students attending 4-year degree-granting non-publics are eligible for $110 per credit hour in 2018-19.

In addition to tuition assistance, TIP also covers up to $250 in mandatory fees each semester.

To qualify, students must have been on Michigan Medicaid for 24 months within a 36-consecutive month period between age nine and high school graduation.   

“Even if eligible high school graduates don’t plan to attend college this fall, we urge them to certify their application as soon as possible,” said Carla Foltyn, Director of Student Scholarships and Grants. “Once their eligibility is confirmed, they have four years to begin using TIP, but the window for applying for this benefit will close on Aug. 31.”

Students may complete the TIP application in the MiSSG Student Portal at michigan.gov/missg or by calling (888) 447-2687.

TIP can also assist students who go on to four-year colleges or universities.  After they earn at least a one-year certificate, an associate degree or 56 transferable credits, students are eligible to receive up to $500 per semester or $400 per term at participating four-year institutions in Michigan.

TIP is just one service offered by the Student Financial Services Bureau, which encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing equality of access to student financial resources and information.

To learn more about TIP or to claim TIP benefits, got tomichigan.gov/mistudentaid or contact MI Student Aid at mistudentaid@michigan.gov or (888) 447-2687.