Lansing Community College

What is Michigan ECHO?

Michigan Equity, Courage, Hope and Opportunity (MI ECHO) Scholarship offers tuition and fee assistance for students who are pursuing an associate degree or certification, but are not eligible for federal financial aid.

MI ECHO is designed to assist students who are DACA recipients, Temporary Protected Status immigrants, Special Immigrant Juveniles, and other populations who are excluded from most traditional financial aid opportunities.

 

  • Applicants must meet the following requirements to apply:

    • Must be an individual who cannot access federal financial aid (ex. DACA, Temporary Protected Status immigrants, Asylum pending, Special Immigrant Juveniles).
    • Must have worked an essential job anytime during the declared COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020–present).
    • Be a Michigan resident.
    • Must enroll at a 2-year institution (community college) or a participating institution.
    • Have not previously earned an associate or a baccalaureate degree.
    • Must have graduated from high school with a diploma or certificate of completion or a high school equivalency certificate.
      • OR you must be near completion of earning a high school diploma, certificate of completion, or high school equivalency certificate. (Includes seniors in high school.)
      • OR if you have completed high school outside of the United States you can submit a diploma evaluation report.
    • Must not be in default on a Federal student loan or Title IV overpayment.
    • Must enroll in an associate degree or certificate program within six months of being accepted or reapply.

  • Students must maintain the following:

    • Maintain good academic standing to remain eligible for enrollment (satisfactory academic progress varies by institution) or maintain a 2.0 GPA following your receipt of the MI ECHO scholarship
    • Continue living in Michigan
    • Continue to be enrolled at a Michigan 2-year institution (community college) or participating institution
    • Submit transcripts
    • Sign and submit a consent form for MI ECHO Scholarship staff to reach out directly to colleges for any necessary verification.

If you have earned a certificate but have not yet earned an associate or bachelor’s degree, you are still eligible to apply for this program.

If you are currently enrolled in an associate degree program or certificate program but have not completed either, you are still eligible to apply for this program.

Students who are receiving Futures for Frontliners or Michigan Reconnect awards are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Visit Michigan ECHO Scholarship to apply. Questions? Email info@michiganecho.org or call 517-316-1713.

Frequently Asked Questions

   

Does this cover in-district (resident), out-of-district (in-state), out-of-state/international tuition?

The scholarship covers in-district and out-of-district tuition only.

Will Course/Lab Fees Be Covered By MI ECHO?

No, MI ECHO only covers mandatory fees, which are the Registration Fee and the Student Support Fee.

Who is able to apply?

  • This scholarship is only for people who cannot access federal financial aid:

    • Including, but not limited to, DACA, Temporary Protected Status immigrants, Asylum pending, Special Immigrant Juveniles.

  • Applicants who worked on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • The candidate must be eligible for acceptance into a certificate or associate degree program and cannot have earned an associate or bachelor's degree in any country.

I have earned an associate or baccalaureate degree. Can I still apply?

 Applicants who have previously earned an associate or baccalaureate degree are not able to apply.

Do I need a high school diploma or equivalent?

Yes, applicants must have graduated from high school with a diploma or certificate of completion or a high school equivalency certificate.

Applicants who have not met the above:

  • must be near completion of earning a high school diploma, certificate of completion, or high school equivalency certificate (Includes seniors in high school),
  • or have completed high school outside of the United States with a diploma evaluation report.

I applied for ECHO, but I won't be attending right away. How soon do I have to begin attending to use my ECHO award?

Applicants must enroll in the associate degree or certificate program within six months of being accepted or reapply.

I have already earned a certificate. Am I eligible for ECHO?

Yes. If you have earned a certificate but have not yet earned an associate or bachelor’s degree, you are still eligible to apply for this program.

I am currently attending in a certificate or associate program. May I apply?

 Yes, you can apply as long as you haven't completed the associate degree.

I would like to use this for more than one certificate. How many certificates will the scholarship cover?

 The scholarship will only pay for one (1) certificate.

Is there a maximum time I can use the scholarship?

 If approved, the scholarship will cover up to three (3) years.