Wayne State University is expanding its financial aid program. The university will offer free tuition to incoming in-state students whose families make less than $70,000 a year and have less than $50,000 in assets.
"Now all Michiganders throughout the state, who qualify, will be able to come to Wayne State. Without ... out-of-pocket expenses. In other words, free," said Wayne State President Dr. M. Roy Wilson during a Monday announcement.
The program is called the "Wayne State Guarantee" and will be available to qualifying students for up to five years, as long as they're on track to graduate during the fifth year.
It covers the full cost of tuition and standard fees (matriculation, registration, and student service fees) with a combination of federal, state and other Wayne State scholarships and grants.
The university said the program will enable half of Wayne State students to attend the university without out-of-pocket costs.
The latest U.S. census data, from 2021, put the median household income in Michigan at $64,488.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer was at the event announcing the program. "Wayne State is leading the way, and I want to thank them for their work, the Wayne State Guarantee and making four-year college a real possibility for more Michiganders," she said.
Students need to apply to Wayne State and complete the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 to be eligible for the Wayne State Guarantee.
