The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus has implemented a free tuition program, called “Go Blue Guarantee,” for in-state students and applicants with families earning up to $65,000 a year.
The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents approved the Go Blue Guarantee as part of the 2017-18 budget with a 7-1 vote and was publicly announced by Dr. Mark Schlissel, the university’s president, on June 15. The program will go into effect on January 3, 2018, when the winter semester commences.
In 2015, the median family income for the state of Michigan was $63,893, according to the U.S. Census. Go Blue is not currently being offered at the university’s Dearborn or Flint campuses due to University budgetary constraints.
“For the past decade, UM has offered robust need-based financial aid for in-state students from families with income up to about $125,000 and more. But the message of how affordable it is to attend UM was not reaching many students and their parents,” said Rick Fitzgerald, a spokesman for the university, via email. “The Go Blue Guarantee is a clear, powerful message to these families that if you are admitted to UM and your family income is less than $65,000, tuition is free. And there may be more financial aid available to cover other costs,” he added.
UM’s tuition rate will escalate by almost three percent, costing $14,826 annually for in-state undergraduates. The tuition for out-of-state undergraduates will increase by four and a half percent, making the tuition $47,476 a year. Tuition for some of the graduate programs at the University of Michigan will increase by over four percent.
Go Blue Guarantee pays for undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees up to four years, and four and a half years for students in the College of Engineering. The guarantee could also cover other expenses such as housing costs, meals, books and other necessities.
Current students and students applying to attend the university are urged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order for the university’s financial aid office to fully evaluate each student’s family income fairly.
