FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

October 31, 2022  

Contact: [email protected]   

Gov. Whitmer Announces Applications Now Open for the MI Future Educator Followship Scholarships and Stipends to Help Hire More Educators 

All eligible Michiganders encouraged to apply for $10,000 scholarships, $9,600 per-semester stipends 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that applications are now open for $10,000 scholarships for college students and $9,600 per-semester stipends for student teachers under the Mi Future Educator Fellowship program. The bipartisan fellowships and stipends will bolster the teacher pipeline, helping districts hire and train more qualified teachers. Both were created and funded in the bipartisan education budget the governor signed earlier this year which also included the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history and record investments in school infrastructure, mental health, and school safety.  

“I am excited to announce that applications for $10,000 MI Future Educator Fellowships and $9,600 a semester MI Future Educator Stipends are officially open,” said Governor Whitmer. “As a mom, I know how important it is for every classroom to have a qualified teacher, and I am proud that we worked across the aisle to establish these fellowships and stipends. I urge every eligible Michigander to apply so we can strengthen our teacher pipeline and ensure every kid, in every district has excellent educators.”  

“This program sends a powerful message to Michiganders that the State is investing in education and educators and will continue to do what it takes to ensure that every classroom has a well-prepared and qualified educator. This bipartisan education budget recognizes that Michigan can improve education opportunity for all children and youth by appropriately developing our teaching force,” said Dr. Elizabeth Birr Moje, Dean at the University of Michigan School of Education. “With these resources, the State is reducing financial barriers to high-quality training, degree completion, and licensure through robust educator preparation programs. I am proud of our state leaders and legislators for recognizing that the single most important factor in children’s learning is access to a well-prepared teacher. I look forward to partnering with the State to recruit, sustain, and retain both new professionals and the highly skilled and dedicated teachers already in the profession.”  

“High-quality and well-prepared teachers are fundamental in the success of our students and the future of our state and nation,” said Jerlando F. L. Jackson, dean of the Michigan State University College of Education and MSU Foundation Professor of Education. “This bipartisan effort from the state is one more way to show to future and current educators how much we all value the important work they do for the next generation of students.” 

“The $10,000 Mi Future Educator Fellowships and the $9,600 student teacher stipends funded through bipartisan legislation is a game changer for the teacher candidates enrolled in Northern Michigan University's educator preparation program and the schools that will employ them. Through this legislation, our elected leaders have communicated to every educator in our state that they are valued and that there is a statewide community supporting their professional growth and development,” said Joe Lubig, Associate Dean for Teacher Education, Northern Michigan University. “The $9,600 student teacher stipends will alleviate financial stress for our NMU student teacher interns so they can focus their attention on the needs of the children and young adults they teach over the course of their final semester. The $10,000 fellowships, available to each teacher candidate for three years for a total of up to $30,000, will allow our future teachers and NMU to increase retention and completion rates allowing us to get more qualified educators into classrooms.” 

“These innovative funding initiatives will allow teacher candidates to complete comprehensive preparation programs without financial hardship, said James E. Tarr, Dean of the College of Education, Saginaw Valley State University. “By linking fellowships to a commitment to teach in Michigan schools, the primary beneficiary of these investments are the children of Michigan.” 

MI Future Educator Fellowship 

The Mi Future Educator Fellowship offers aspiring teachers a scholarship to eliminate or lower the cost of tuition while they train to be educators. Awards cover the cost of tuition and fees up to $10,000 and are renewable for up to three years. Students that receive the award commit to teaching in Michigan classroom for at least three years after graduation.  

To be eligible, future educators must apply through the MiSSG Portal, submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and: 

For full eligibility requirements and to apply starting October 31st, visit Michigan.gov/mistudentaid. Scholarship funds are limited and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.  

MI Future Educator Stipend  

The Mi Future Educator Stipend provides compensation for full-time student teachers. Starting fall 2022, student teachers can earn $9,600 while they complete their final semester(s) of teacher preparation.  

We’re Here to Help! 

For more information or help applying for the Fellowship or Stipend, visit Michigan.gov/mistudentaid or contact MI Student Aid at [email protected], 1-888-447-2687 or @mistudentaid on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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