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Scholarship Awards

Saginaw Promise Scholarship Awards

(Note: References to page numbers, tie back to the Saginaw Promise Development Plan, which can be accessed on the Saginaw Promise “About Us” website page.)

Saginaw Promise scholarship awards and criteria are as follows:
  • All students must apply for and accept all federal and state grants and scholarships for which they are eligible before the amount of the Promise will be determined for a given year. The Saginaw Promise Zone Authority board shall establish both the minimum and maximum amounts to be awarded by June of each year, then posted in July on the Saginaw Promise website (reference “Saginaw Promise: The Promise of Financial Assistance…page 6 &7).
  •  The Promise scholarship may be used to pay for qualified educational expenses as set forth in MCL 390.1663, Sec. 3 (m) (i & ii) at an eligible institution or combination of eligible institutions for an eligible student in a given year. For a listing of qualified costs of attendance, reference “Financial Assistance for Other Costs of Attendance” listed on pages 7 & 8).  This allows for a scholarship to be awarded for the students “costs of attendance” as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Eligible students will receive funding to help cover qualified education expenses (as defined by the Office of Federal Aid – studentaid.gov)  necessary for two years of enrollment toward an associate, or bachelor’s degree or certificate program. When combined with other aid and scholarships, this funding may be applied towards qualified education expenses up to a student’s “cost of attendance,” but cannot exceed the “cost of attendance” calculated by the student’s institution.
  • In no case will a student attending an institution of higher education in Michigan be awarded a Promise Zone scholarship that, when added to other grants and scholarships the student receives, be greater than the total cost of attendance at that institution. 
  • Individual Promise Scholarship awards vary according to the remaining cost of attendance calculated at Michigan’s universities.
  • The scholarship is available for two years (or longer if determined by the Promise Zone Authority Board) for postsecondary education schooling.
  • Individual Promise Scholarship awards may vary according to the remaining cost of attendance once other federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships are awarded, state, private, or other grants or scholarships.
  • The Saginaw Promise Scholarship is intended to be a “last dollar” scholarship.
  • To apply, students must complete the Saginaw Community Foundation Scholarship Application or equivalent application as determined by the Saginaw Promise.
  • Students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA) form, and accept all federal, state grants and scholarships prior to the determination of the amount of the Saginaw Promise Scholarship.
  • The Student Aid Index and loan programs do not reduce the amount of the Saginaw Promise Scholarship.
  • Scholarship funding will be paid directly to the applicable eligible institutions identified and attended by Saginaw Promise scholars.

Saginaw Promise: The Promise of Financial Assistance…

If sufficient funds are available, and at the discretion of “the Board”, financial assistance shall be provided to eligible students who graduate during their academic school year. The Saginaw Promise Zone Authority board shall establish both the minimum and maximum amounts to be awarded by June of each year, then posted in July on the Saginaw Promise website based upon available funds.
  • The minimum shall be equivalent to the cost of 62 credit hours (or 31 credits in one of two academic years) to earn an associate degree at Delta College (a community college) including any applicable fees but shall not exceed the actual cost of the institution that the student is attending. MCL.390.1667(2)(a) “The amount of proposed promise of financial assistance shall, at a minimum, equal or exceed the amount the board determines is sufficient to pay for the qualified educational expenses for an eligible student to obtain an associate degree at a community or junior college in this state.” 
  • Financial assistance shall be offered for two (2) years of postsecondary education at a community college or junior college in this state, with an objective of funding and assisting the student to earn an associate degree or program certificate.
  • Financial assistance is available for two (2) years for students attending a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree at an eligible institution in Michigan, at an award level determined by the Saginaw Promise Zone Authority board in June and posted on the Saginaw Promise website in July.
  • The maximum amount shall not exceed the annual award amount set by the board and will not exceed a student’s cost of attendance in any given academic year. Furthermore, it will also not exceed the average of Michigan public universities as defined by the Act.
  • “The board” shall award financial assistance based on the length of consecutive years of attendance within the Saginaw Promise Zone and graduation from one of the eligible institutions in the Saginaw Promise Zone listed on page 3.
  • Notwithstanding anything in this section, for any student to qualify, they must receive a diploma or GED from an Eligible Secondary Institution.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR OTHER COSTS OF ATTENDANCE

Students enrolled as Saginaw Promise scholars and attending eligible institutions criteria outlined in the Act and meet the “Criteria” (referenced on pages 3 & 4) of this Promise Zone Plan are eligible to receive assistance for qualified educational expenses included within a student’s total Cost of Attendance (COA) as defined by the Office of Federal Student Aid. If funds are available, and at the discretion of the Promise Zone Authority, awards for other costs of attendance may be awarded, considering the total cost of attendance and the amount of other financial aid already received.
Qualified needs must fall within the guidelines for Cost of Attendance (COA) as defined by the Office of Federal Student Aid and may include:
  • Tuition and fees
  • Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment
  • Housing and food
  • Transportation expenses
  • Childcare or other dependent care
  • Miscellaneous expenses
  1. The maximum amount of financial assistance per student shall be determined annually by the Promise Zone Authority, in consultation with the Eligible Institutions.
  2. Funds for other eligible costs of attendance will be distributed directly to the Eligible Institution on behalf of the student as determined by the Authority.
  3. The Authority will coordinate with local universities, community colleges, and trade schools to ensure seamless disbursement of financial assistance and promote awareness of available funding.
  4. The Authority will submit an annual report to the State of Michigan and other relevant stakeholders detailing the allocation and impact of funds for other costs of attendance.
  5. All expenditures granted by the Authority are limited to and shall not exceed the designated financial allocation set by the Authority.
  • The amount of a Saginaw Promise Scholarship award will be pro-rated based on the length of attendance in schools within the Promise Zone, using the following sliding scale:
    Grade LevelCoverage
    K-12100%
    1-12100%
    2-12100%
    3-12100%
    4-12100%
    5-12100%
    6-12100%
    7-12100%
    8-12100%
    9-12100%
    10-12100%
    11-1250%
    12 Only50%
    GED50%
  • Maximum scholarship awards are based on full-time postsecondary attendance as defined by the community colleges, four-year colleges and universities and accredited trade and vocational schools attended. Students who enroll less than full-time during the eligible years will receive pro-rated scholarship awards.

2026/27 Scholarship Award: The Saginaw Promise Zone Authority Board voted on Wednesday, June 25, 2026, to approve a maximum scholarship award of $4,000 for academic year 2026/27.

OUR MISSION

The Saginaw Promise will transform and infuse the community as an economic initiative while cultivating higher education through a scholarship program.

OUR VISION

The Saginaw Promise is an investment to enhance the quality of life for Saginaw residents, stimulate economic development and cultivate a culture of learning amongst youth.