CMU Tuition Advantage
More Michigan students can now attend CMU tuition-free! We’ve made qualifying for our CMU Tuition Advantage program easier than ever.
Starting for the 2024-25 academic year, newly admitted Michigan students whose families have an adjusted gross income and family assets of $65,000 or less may be eligible to attend CMU tuition-free. We will cover the cost of 30 credit hours (15 credits in the fall and 15 credits in the spring) through a combination of federal, state and institutional aid.
Do you qualify?
- You and your parent are Michigan residents since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
- You’re a newly admitted student pursuing your undergraduate degree as a freshman or transfer student on the main campus.
- You're enrolled full time, with a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
- Your family's adjusted gross income (AGI) AND family assets are equal to or less than $65,000, as reported on the FAFSA.
- You are eligible for Federal Pell Grant.
File your FAFSA
Use code 002243. MI resident with family AGI and assets of $65,000 or less and be Pell eligible.
You could pay $0 for Tuition
If you have questions, reach out to our team at 989-774-3674 or email financialaid@cmich.edu.
More about the CMU Tuition Advantage
Can I renew the CMU Tuition Advantage?
Yes! If the criteria are met, the CMU Tuition Advantage is renewable for an additional three years (freshmen) and an additional two years (transfers) or until the first bachelor's degree is earned, whichever comes first.
• You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• You must file a FAFSA annually.
• You must continue meeting the family AGI and asset requirements outlined above.
• You must continue to be Pell eligible.
• You must remain a Michigan Resident.
What does the CMU Tuition Advantage cover?
The CMU Tuition Advantage guarantees that you will have a combination of federal, state and institutional gift and grant aid that covers the cost of 30 credit hours (15 credit hours in the fall and 15 credit hours in the spring) plus the annual student service fee. If you qualify for aid in other resources that equate to more than the cost of tuition, that can be used to cover your other costs.
CMU does not change the amount awarded mid-year due to tuition rate changes. The amount offered at the beginning of the academic year will stay consistent for that year.
What doesn't the CMU Tuition Advantage cover?
The CMU Tuition Advantage only ensures that the cost of 30 credit hours (15 credits in the fall and 15 credits in the spring) and the annual student service fee are provided through a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid. Tuition Advantage is not tuition specific but is calculated based on 30 credits per year.
CMU does not change the amount awarded mid-year due to tuition rate changes. The amount offered at the beginning of the academic year will stay consistent for that year.
Do online students qualify?
No. Only new undergraduate degree-seeking freshmen and transfer students admitted to CMU's main campus are eligible for the program.
What if my family AGI changes?
We have a special circumstances process in place to review changes in household income, divorce, death of a parent, etc. Contact us to go over your next steps.
Do I need to live on campus?
Residential requirement policy as outlined by Residence Life must be met to receive this funding.
CMU Traditions
Those students who were eligible and awarded the CMU Traditions at the start of their incoming year of 2023-24 and prior are grandfathered into the discontinued CMU Traditions program. This program is no longer offered for other students.
The CMU Traditions Program used a combination of federal, state and institutional aid to provide funding equivalent to the cost of tuition (30 credit hours) and mandatory fees for incoming first-time college students or transfer students who are Michigan residents, have a combined student and family adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less, and have family assets of $50,000 or less, and meet the eligibility requirements. The CMU Traditions Program covers eligible tuition and student service fees for new first-time college students.
How does Traditions work?
CMU will ensure the cost of 30 credit hours (15 credits in the fall and 15 credits in the spring) is covered through a combination of federal, state and institutional aid.
How do I renew in the future?
- You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- You must file a FAFSA annually.
- You must continue to meet the family AGI and asset requirements.