Detroit Promise Scholarship

Name: Detroit Promise Scholarship

Award Amount: Covers tuition gaps after other aid; up to full tuition at participating institutions

Information And Eligibility:
The Detroit Promise Scholarship provides a tuition-free pathway to higher education for students who live in Detroit and attend high school within the city. Designed as a broad-access, non-competitive program, the Detroit Promise ensures that every eligible student who completes the required steps can receive financial support, as long as their chosen college confirms an eligible funding gap.

Unlike merit-based scholarships that limit awards to a small group of top applicants, the Detroit Promise focuses on access and affordability. Funding is available for students pursuing trade credentials, associate degrees, or bachelor’s degrees at 26 participating Michigan colleges and universities. The scholarship is structured as a “last-dollar” award, meaning it fills the remaining tuition gap after federal, state, and institutional financial aid (such as Pell Grants or state scholarships) has been applied. This approach allows students to maximize all available aid while still eliminating tuition costs.

One of the most inclusive features of the Detroit Promise is its high school eligibility policy. All Detroit high schools qualify, including public, charter, private, parochial, and alternative schools, as long as the school has a Detroit address. Students who attended multiple high schools remain eligible as long as all schools attended were located within the city of Detroit. This flexibility ensures that students are not penalized for school transfers, alternative education paths, or changes in academic circumstances.

The Detroit Promise is available to students enrolling in both two-year and four-year institutions, as well as certain trade and credential programs. This makes the scholarship particularly valuable for students who plan to start at a community college, pursue workforce-focused training, or transfer to a four-year university. Students must enroll in an eligible Michigan institution and meet basic academic and enrollment standards set by the program and their college.

To remain eligible, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by their institution and the Detroit Promise program. This typically includes maintaining full-time enrollment and meeting minimum GPA requirements set by the college. The program also encourages students to complete the FAFSA, as financial need analysis is required to determine the remaining tuition gap the Promise will cover.

Because the Detroit Promise operates on a rolling basis, students are encouraged to register and complete all required steps as early as possible during their senior year of high school. Early completion helps ensure smooth coordination between the scholarship, the student’s college, and other financial aid sources.

Overall, the Detroit Promise plays a major role in expanding college access, reducing student debt, and supporting workforce development in Detroit. By guaranteeing tuition coverage for eligible students across multiple education pathways, the program empowers Detroit graduates to pursue postsecondary education with significantly reduced financial barriers.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a current high school student attending a high school located in Detroit.
• Must reside in Detroit, Michigan.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must enroll in an eligible two-year, four-year, or trade program at a participating Michigan institution.
• Students who attended multiple high schools are eligible if all schools were located in Detroit.
• Must meet enrollment and academic standards set by the college and the Detroit Promise program.

Application Requirements:

• Complete the Detroit Promise registration/application.
• Submit high school transcripts.
• Provide required test scores (if applicable).
• Complete the FAFSA for financial need analysis.
• Confirm enrollment at a participating Michigan institution.

Deadline: Rolling (students should register and apply as early as possible)

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