Detroit Promise: What it is, who qualifies, and how to apply

The Detroit Promise is a tuition-free college scholarship program for eligible Detroit students. It helps cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at participating Michigan colleges, universities, and technical schools.

The program is designed to give Detroit students a more affordable path to:

• An associate degree
• A bachelor's degree
• A technical or trade certificate

Detroit Promise is considered a "last-dollar" scholarship, meaning federal and state financial aid - like Pell Grants or TIP grants - are applied first, and Detroit Promise covers eligible remaining tuition costs.

---> Apply for the Detroit Promise here

What does Detroit Promise cover?

Detroit Promise can help pay for:

• Tuition
• Mandatory school fees

It does not typically cover:

• Housing
• Books
• Transportation
• Meal plans
• Other personal expenses

Coverage depends on the school and the student's financial aid package.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility depends on whether a student is attending a community college or a four-year university.

Community college eligibility

Students interested in community college funding generally must:

• Live in Detroit during junior and senior year
• Attend a Detroit high school during junior and senior year
• Graduate from a Detroit high school
• Complete the FAFSA and financial aid requirements

Eligible schools can include:

• Public schools
• Charter schools
• Private schools
• Parochial schools
• Homeschools

As long as the school has a Detroit address.

Four-year university eligibility

For four-year college funding, students generally must:

• Live in Detroit all four years of high school
• Attend a Detroit high school all four years
• Graduate from a Detroit high school
• Complete the FAFSA and financial aid requirements

Some university partners may also require:

• A minimum GPA
• SAT or ACT scores

Current Detroit Promise FAQ information says four-year funding requires:

• At least a 3.0 GPA
• A 21 ACT or 1060 SAT score
• Test scores submitted by the required deadline

Which colleges participate?

Detroit Promise partners with more than 30 Michigan colleges and universities.

Some participating schools include:

• Wayne County Community College District
  Wayne State University
  Henry Ford College
  University of Michigan-Dearborn
  University of Michigan-Flint
  Ferris State University
  College for Creative Studies

The full list of partner schools is available on the official Detroit Promise website.

Students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) every year to remain eligible.

You can start at: FAFSA application

Step 2: Apply to a participating college

Students must apply and be accepted to a participating Detroit Promise college or university.

Step 3: Register for Detroit Promise

Students also need to complete the Detroit Promise registration process before the deadline.

Detroit Promise application and registration

Step 4: Complete any financial aid paperwork

Some colleges may require additional forms or verification documents through their financial aid office.

How long does the scholarship last?

Generally:

• Community college funding can last up to three years
• University funding can last up to four years

Students must continue meeting program requirements to keep the scholarship.

How do students keep the scholarship?

Requirements vary by school, but students may need to:

• Complete the FAFSA each year
• Stay enrolled
• Complete enough credits each semester
• Maintain academic progress

University students generally must:

• Maintain at least a 2.5 GPA
• Complete at least 67% of attempted classes

Why Detroit Promise matters

Detroit Promise is aimed at reducing financial barriers to higher education for Detroit students and increasing college completion across the city. Since launching in 2013, the program has helped thousands of students pursue college or technical training without taking on as much tuition debt.

The program also includes support services like coaching and student success programs through Detroit Promise Path, helping students stay on track once they arrive on campus.