Tuition Incentive Program What high school counselors and students need to know about TIP

1. Tuition Incentive ProgramWhat high school counselors and students need to know about TIP

2. Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) Eligible students must have been eligible for Medicaid for 24 months within a 36 consecutive month period. This can begin as early as the sixth grade. SSG receives a file from the Department of Human Services (DHS) in December and then notifies all eligible students in late January and early February. Students are asked to return their application for TIP as soon as they receive it. They do not have to wait until their senior year of high school. They can check undecided if they don’t know what college they will be attending in the future.

3. New in January 2013

4. Eligibility notifications Students will receive a Graduation Senior Reminder letter in late January of their senior year. This letter also includes a College Goal Sunday flyer. SSG recommends students take advantage of this free information. Students will need to take this letter to the college they plan to attend as proof of their eligibility. All future awards are subject to available and approved funding.

6. Important TIP Timelines Must submit application prior to high school graduation or GED completion and must graduate before age 20.

7. Important TIP Timelines (continued) Student must enroll at a participating college with at least 6 credits within four years of high school graduation or eligibility is forfeited. Student must fully utilize all eligibility within ten years or eligibility is forfeited.

8. Eligibility Criteria Must be a Michigan resident as determined by institutional criteria. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee. Must not be incarcerated. Must give eligibility letter to college financial aid office. Must enroll at least half-time in an eligible certificate or degree program. Must meet the institution’s satisfactory academic progress policy (SAP).

9. Phase I Student must enroll in an associate degree or certificate program. Covers tuition at the current in-district rate at a participating Michigan community college. Covers tuition at the lower level resident rate at a participating Michigan public university. Covers the average in-district community college rate at a participating Michigan degree-granting independent college, federal tribally-controlled college or Focus:HOPE. This is determined each year, but for 2012-13 is $86.00 per credit hour.

10. Phase I (continued) Students are limited to a maximum enrollment of 24 semester or 36 term credits per academic year. Overall, TIP benefits cannot exceed a total of 80 semester or 120 term credits.

11. TIP Covers Tuition & Fees Specific Costs • Limited fees up to $250 per semester or term. • The only allowable* fees are: • Technology • Registration/Enrollment • Student Activity/Student Services * only if these fees are mandatory for all students. Student services fees do not include health care costs.

12. Phase II Student must have an associate degree or a total of 56 semester or 84 term credits before they can begin using Phase II benefits. Provides tuition and the same limited fee assistance not to exceed $500 per semester of $400 per term up to a maximum of $2,000 for credits earned in a four-year program at a Michigan degree-granting college or university. Phase II must be completed within 30 months of completion of Phase I requirement. Students can receive Phase II benefits without ever receiving Phase I benefits if enrolled at a college/university that doesn’t offer Phase I programs – but student must still have met the 56 semester or 84 term credits criteria.

13. When Payments are Made SSG does not reimburse the student. All payments are made directly to the college/university on behalf of the student and only after the schools drop/add period. Payments are made four times per academic year and only after October 1 which is the beginning of the state’s fiscal year.

14. Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) High School Graduates Diploma or “Other Certificate” IS acceptable for eligibility for the Tuition Incentive Program. TIP is last dollar. All tuition specific aid including MCS must be applied before TIP.* *Excluding Promise Zones

15. Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) Promise Zones – In Promise Zones, TIP is used before local Promise award.For information on Promise Zones visit www.PromiseZones.org Incarcerated students are not eligible to participate in TIP.

16. Eligible Colleges – Community Colleges

17. Eligible Colleges – Public Universities

18. Eligible Colleges – Independent Colleges & Universities

19. Eligible Institutions - Other

20. For Questions Contact the Student Scholarships and Grants Division Anne Wohlfert, Director 517-373-0458 Carla Foltyn, Deputy Director 517-335-1790 Kathy Welch, Analyst 517-373-7120 Nancy Vaughn, Analyst 517-373-1871

21. Office of Scholarships and Grants Toll-free: 1-888-4-Grants (1-888-447-2687) E-mail: OSG@michigan.gov Web: www.michigan.gov/ssg Visit the Web for Program Procedures, Manuals and Fact Sheets.