Muskegon Area Promise

Who is Eligible for The PROMISE?

PROMISE Scholarships are available to students graduating from the following districts:

Calvary Christian Schools
Fruitport Community Schools
Holton Public Schools
Mona Shores Public Schools
Montague Area Public Schools
Muskegon Catholic Central
Muskegon Covenant Academy
Muskegon Public Schools
Muskegon Heights Public School Academy
North Muskegon Public Schools
Oakridge Public Schools
Orchard View Schools
Ravenna Public Schools
Reeths-Puffer Schools
Western Michigan Christian
Whitehall District Schools

*Homeschool graduates residing within the Promise Zone may also be eligible.

The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) is committed to serving all students who reside within the MAISD service area. We welcome homeschool student participation in countywide programs and services like the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center and the Muskegon Area Promise.

To register your student, or for additional information regarding Promise eligibility requirements for homeschool graduates, please link to our form below.

HOMESCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

What Do You Need To Do?

LIVE within the boundaries of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District.
 

GRADUATE with a qualifying GPA from one of the eligible high schools or homeschool.
 

APPLY for student aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and complete the verification process as requested each year (www.fafsa.gov).
 

ENROLL in an approved local vocational training center, Muskegon Community College or Baker College of Muskegon.
 

High school graduates will be notified of their eligibility in the spring of their senior year. Email or other electronic format will be used.   

Promise Scholars must accept their award by completing and submitting an online form. This must be renewed each year.

Promise Scholars must successfully complete their post-secondary coursework to maintain eligibility. Each partner institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policies apply.

Why do YOU need to further YOUR education?

In the past, the West Michigan job market offered a good living without college or even a full high school education. Today we live in a globally-oriented, knowledge-driven world where the majority of job postings require a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree.*

By 2030, this number is projected to be 75%.**

Of Muskegon’s current workforce age 25-64, only 39% have these types of post-high school degrees.***  

* W.E. Upjohn Institute 2014

**Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity 2024 

***StrongerNation 2025

How Does The PROMISE Work?  

Promise Scholarships will fund either a certificate program, a two-year associate degree or even a portion of a bachelor’s degree at approved local vocational training centers, Muskegon Community College or Baker College of Muskegon.

The Promise Scholarship provides the financial assistance necessary to earn a high quality credential when used in conjunction with federal, state and institutional grants. Awards may be used for a variety of educational expenses as identified by Promise Zone law.

Students will have a maximum of ten years from high school graduation to use their Promise Scholarship. Based on any revised financial aid information, the amount of the Promise Scholarship may be adjusted each year.

See Scholarship Terms at a Glance

Welcoming a New Investment

For more than 10 years, Michigan Promise Zones have been leaders in providing scholarship opportunities to address some of the most critical problems we face in our communities: helping disadvantaged students close the achievement gap, assisting cities in retaining and attracting middle-class families, and drawing knowledge-based businesses to distressed communities. We welcome the new investment from the State of Michigan to grow this work and ensure every student gets the support needed to go to college and earn a degree or certificate!  

To learn more visit miachievement.org or preview the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Updates for changes to the State of Michigan's flagship financial aid program at a glance, and/or visit Muskegon Community College to learn how the investment affects local students.