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April 23, 2025
More than 9,000 Michigan students have entered for a chance to win one of forty $10,000 prizes or one of ten $50,000 prizes
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is announcing that more than 9,000 students have already entered the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes in its first week, signaling strong early momentum and continued conversations about the importance of FAFSA completion across the state. The sweepstakes, launched by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in partnership with the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), offers major financial prizes to first-time FAFSA filers and encourages students to take a key step toward making college more affordable.
“We’re pleased to see so many students taking this important step toward their futures,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “By completing the FAFSA, students are entering to win big dollars that can help fund their education endeavors, and at the same time, they’re gaining access to vital financial aid resources that make college or skills training more affordable. The sweepstakes is truly a win-win for everyone. The response we’re seeing in just one week shows how ready Michigan students are to invest in themselves, and we’re excited to keep supporting them every part of the way.”
In addition to entering for the chance to win one of forty $10,000 prizes or ten $50,000 prizes, students who complete the FAFSA are unlocking valuable federal and state financial aid opportunities. Completing the FAFSA is the first step to accessing programs like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee, which is saving 60,000 families an average of more than $4,200 this year alone. Students are also required to submit a FAFSA to access the Michigan Reconnect program, which offers adults ages 25 and older an opportunity to attend their local community college tuition-free. To date, over 200,000 Michiganders have applied for Michigan Reconnect.
MiLEAP is proud to partner with the MCAN to connect more Michigan students with FAFSA resources so they can pursue college or skills training at little to no cost.
“MCAN is excited to see the student response to the launch of the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes a week ago," said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN. "Completing the FAFSA opens the door to all types of federal, state, and institutional financial aid that can make their college dreams in Michigan accessible and affordable. The Ticket to Tuition opportunity encourages first-time filers to complete the FAFSA, fully understand their financial options, and enter to win big in support of their futures."
To enter the Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes, students must:
Eligible participants must be Michigan residents who are completing the FAFSA for the first time to use in the 2025–26 school year. Sweepstakes prizes will be awarded in Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) accounts and can be used for various qualified educational expenses including tuition, housing, books and more.
Students and families can complete the FAFSA online by visiting FAFSA.gov or by submitting a paper form. Recent updates to the application include reducing the number of questions to 36 from the previous 108, allowing for a more streamlined process. Most students and families can complete the application in less than 15 minutes.
For full contest details, visit TicketToTuition.com.
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