Scholarships would cover students in qualifying disability transition programs

Students in qualifying disability transition programs would be eligible for Michigan achievement scholarships. The program must serve young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. The community college must be in a county with a population between 90,000 and 100,000 under the latest census taken every 10 years. The community college must partner with Michigan universities, and a tax-exempt nonprofit must operate the program. The program must offer individualized college experiences and support for employment and independent living. It must award no credential and meet the listed learning and transition-skill requirements. Students must live in Michigan, meet their institution's standards for academic progress, and not be in default on a federal student loan.

Michigan achievement scholarships would cover eligible students' program tuition and required fees after subtracting other aid that does not need to be repaid. Payments would go to the eligible institution for credit to the student's account. Students must meet the special transition-program eligibility rules, including the county population limit and the program requirements. Grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts would reduce the award. Student loans, work-study awards, and payments from the specified education savings and prepaid tuition programs would not. Students using this scholarship route could receive awards for a maximum of four academic years.