Corrections Officer Grant Program

The Michigan Department of Corrections Grant Program will conclude on September 30, 2026. Corrections officers can continue to access tuition and fee assistance while working toward the requirement of completing 15 college credits within their first 24 months of employment.

Corrections officers may enroll in Summer/Fall 2026 courses.

Next Steps for Corrections Officers

• Review eligibility and application information below.
• Stay in close contact with your community college to ensure your enrollment and paperwork are processed on time.
• Remember: The Michigan Department of Corrections requirement to complete 15 college credits within 24 months of employment remains in place.
• Apply for Michigan Reconnect, a scholarship program that pays for students to attend their in-district community college tuition-free or receive a large tuition discount for out-of-district community colleges: https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect 
• Apply for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, with attention towards the Career Training scholarship. Student can and apply for the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship which aligns scholarship support to eligible career training programs. Choosing an eligible career training program may include receiving up to $4,000 to support the lowering of out-of-pocket costs and alleviate the need for loans or accumulation of debt. Students can explore this program in more detail on the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Career Training Programs webpage.
• Apply for MiBridges, Michigan’s public benefits system to offset some costs connected to essential living needs. MI Bridges allows you to apply for assistance programs and can help you to access more than 30,000 state and local services across Michigan: Welcome to MI Bridges

Next Steps for Community Colleges

• Colleges may accept registrations for Summer/Fall 2026 courses under the renewed agreement.
• All tuition and fee invoices should be submitted through the standard MCCA process by September 15, 2026.
• Continue advising and supporting corrections officers as they work to complete their 15-credit requirement.
• Encourage students to explore and apply to the eligible financial resources listed above, including Michigan Reconnect, Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and MIBridges. 

Eligibility

Corrections officers who meet the following criteria are eligible to submit an application:

1. Employed by the Michigan Department of Corrections
2. Have not earned 15 college credits and are eligible for the grant program with the approval of the Michigan Department of Corrections.
3. Enroll at a community college in Michigan. Out-of-state community colleges, public universities, and independent colleges are not eligible institutions for this program.

Application

The application requests the following information. Please have this information ready before you begin the application.

1. Basic contact information including name, address, phone number, and email address.
2. Employee ID, and social security number.
3. Employment and eligibility verification form signed by the facility human resources office -OR- the email address of the facility human resources office.
4. The community college you plan to attend and in what semester you plan to enroll.

Once you register for classes, you will be required to submit additional information such as your billing statement from the college and your unofficial transcript once you complete the semester.

Instructional Brochure     Informational Powerpoint

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