What is Futures for Frontliners?
The Futures for Frontliners (F4F) provides tuition assistance to Michigan residents who have not obtained a college degree and worked as a frontline worker in an essential industry between April 1 – June 30, 2020. The program is intended to give thanks to those who put themselves at risk during the pandemic. Students must have applied by December 31, 2020.
The scholarship covers any remaining in-district tuition and mandatory fees (Registration, Student Support, and Course Fees) that are not covered by the Federal Pell Grant or other tuition-restricted scholarships. The scholarship will only cover course fees that apply toward the program of study. Students must be enrolled in at least one credit counting toward program completion in a financial aid eligible program and must have begun classes in Spring 2021, Summer 2021 or Fall 2021. After the student’s initial semester of attendance, the student must meet the renewal eligibility requirements.
LCC Tuition-Free* for In-District Residents
The State of Michigan will offer in-district residents without a college degree an opportunity to attend community college tuition-free*. To qualify for free tuition* applicants must qualify for in-district tuition at Lansing Community College (LCC), have been a Michigan resident for more than one year, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and apply to LCC.
*The student will still be responsible for tuition and course fees not counting toward their program of study and books.
Reduced Tuition at LCC for Out-of-District Residents
Michigan residents without a college degree can attend LCC at a reduced tuition cost. The F4F program will pay for tuition at the in-district rate; the student is responsible for the remaining tuition balance (difference between in-district and out-of-district rate), course fees not counting toward their program of study and books. To qualify, applicants must have been a Michigan resident for more than one year, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and apply to LCC.
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In addition to completing the application, the Frontliner must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each academic year. Academic years begin with fall semester and end with summer semester. You must submit a renewal FAFSA prior to the beginning of each academic year that you intend to enroll.
- Meet federal financial aid eligibility requirements (except for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)).
- Be a Michigan resident by maintaining continuous Michigan residency for at least 12 months, starting from July 1 of the previous calendar year.
- If parent data is not required on the FAFSA (an independent student per federal regulations), the residency is based on the student’s residency.
- If parent data is required on the FAFSA (a dependent student per federal regulations), the residency is based on the parent’s residency.
- Must have graduated from high school with a diploma or earned a high school equivalency certificate by December 31, 2020.
- Have been employed in an essential industry as defined by the State of Michigan.
- Have worked at least 20 hours per week (half-time) for 11 of the 13 weeks from April 1, 2020 thru June 30, 2020.
- Have worked in a job that required work outside of the home at least some of the time.
- Have not previously earned an associate or a baccalaureate degree.
- Must not be in default on a Federal student loan or Title IV overpayment.
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After the student’s initial semester of attendance, the student must meet the following renewal eligibility requirements each academic year to continue receiving the F4F Scholarship. LCC’s academic years begin with fall semester and end with summer semester.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually for each academic year. You must submit a renewal FAFSA prior to the beginning of each academic year that you intend to enroll.
- Maintain Michigan residency.
- Beginning Fall 2023, continuous enrollment will no longer be a requirement. Instead, students will be required to earn 12 credits per academic year in courses counting toward their program of study.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) or a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 in the courses taken toward the program of study while a F4F participant. Grades earned prior to the student’s participation in F4F and courses taken that are not part of the program of study are not considered.
Note: A student's 12 month period begins each academic year. Students will be reviewed at the conclusion of each academic year. Students are a participant if they received an F4F award or if they met all eligibility requirements but did not receive an F4F award due to other resources covering their in-district tuition and mandatory fees.
A student can continue to receive the F4F scholarship until one of the following occurs, whichever comes first:
- Student earned an associate degree, or
- Four years has passed from the first semester receiving F4F funds, or
- Student fails to meet one or more of the renewal eligibility requirements
For more information, email frontliners@star.lcc.edu or call 517-483-1200 option 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
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Which FAFSA do I need to complete? |
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Do I need to maintain a certain GPA to continue receiving F4F? |
Yes. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) or a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 in the courses taken toward the program of study while a F4F participant. Grades earned prior to the student’s participation in F4F and courses taken that are not part of the program of study are not considered. |
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How many credits must I take to be eligible for an award? |
The student must be enrolled in at least one credit counting toward program completion in a financial aid eligible program of study (CPoS eligible credits) to be eligible for an award. This applies to fall, spring and summer semesters. |
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What is my 12-month period? |
Beginning Fall 2023, continuous enrollment in a 12-month period will no longer be a requirement. Instead, students will be required to earn 12 credits per academic year in courses counting toward their program of study. Students will be reviewed at the conclusion of each academic year. Students are a participant if they received an F4F award or if they met all eligibility requirements but did not receive an F4F award due to other resources covering their in-district tuition and mandatory fees. |
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Can I receive F4F and other financial aid in the same semester? |
F4F is a last-dollar scholarship, which means the Federal Pell Grant and tuition-restricted scholarships or awards (excluding the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)) must be applied before F4F funding. The following are examples of how F4F and Federal Pell Grant are awarded. $1,609 In-District Tuition -or- $1,609 In-District Tuition |
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Will course/lab fees be covered by F4F? |
Yes, F4F will cover course fees that apply toward the program of study. |
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I pay out-of-district (in-state) tuition. Will my F4F Scholarship cover my tuition? |
No, F4F only covers in-district tuition costs. Students will have to pay the difference between the in-district and out-of-district (in-state) tuition. For example, a student will have to pay $960 in tuition if enrolled for 8-billing hours and paying out-of-district (in-state) tuition. In-district tuition is $960 ($120 x 8) and out-of-district (in-state) is $1,920($240 x 8). Therefore, the student’s out-of-pocket cost are $960 ($1,920- $960). |
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Can my Federal Pell Grant or other tuition-restricted scholarships or grants cover the out-of-district (in-state) portion of my costs so I can get an F4F award to cover the in-district portion? |
Yes. The State of Michigan rules will allow colleges to award students F4F funding as long as their Federal Pell Grant and/or other tuition-restricted scholarships or grants are not greater than or equal to the in-district tuition and mandatory fees. An example of the required calculation is below. Out-of-District (In-State) Tuition $3,085 $1,645 In-District Portion of Total Tuition $3,085 Total Tuition |
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If I do not meet the renewal eligibility requirements, can my F4F scholarship be reinstated in future years? |
If a student loses eligibility for continuous enrollment or does not earn the 12 credits annually, they may be eligible to complete a Leave of Absence/Continued Eligibility Appeal. Please contact financialaid@star.lcc.edu to receive additional information about the appeal process. Once a student loses their scholarship eligibility for not meeting the GPA requirement along with not meeting SAP, not beginning participation on time, or earning an Associate’s degree; the award cannot be reinstated. Please see Renewal Eligibility Requirements above. |
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Do I need to sign-up for a Payment Plan? |
Yes, students without enough financial aid to cover their balance due are required to sign up for the payment plan or pay in full. |
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Does F4F pay for remedial or developmental education courses? |
Yes, as long as the student is pursuing a financial aid eligible program. An aid eligible program is any program which grants an associate degree and any certificate program of at least 16 credits in length. Please visit Financial Aid Policies for more details. |
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Can I use F4F to earn more than one certificate during the 4-year eligibility period? |
No, it can only be used for one certificate. |
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How many times can I repeat a course and use F4F funds? |
F4F follows the federal financial aid rules on repeating coursework based on the student's participation start date in F4F. Federal rules allow a student to repeat a passed course only one additional time and a failed course multiple times until passed. Please visit Financial Aid Policies. |
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Can I change my program of study? |
Yes, a student may change to another financial aid eligible certificate or associate degree program. Students may not receive F4F funding after earning an associate degree. |
| If I am in default on a federal loan, can I receive a F4F Scholarship? |
No. Students in default on a federal loan are unable to receive F4F funding. |
| Can I receive the Reconnect Scholarship and F4F at the same time? |
No, students cannot receive funds from both scholarship programs. |
| If I lose my eligibility for the F4F Scholarship, can I apply for Reconnect? |
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements for Michigan Reconnect. |