Michigan Is Giving Away $1 Million to First-Time College Students Who Fill Out This Form

Filing the FAFSA might not be the most exciting thing on your to-do list as you’re preparing to go to college, but it just got a whole lot more rewarding for first-time students in Michigan.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer just announced a new incentive on Tuesday to boost FAFSA completion rates across the state. It’s a $1 million sweepstakes called the “Ticket to Tuition” FAFSA Sweepstakes. If you’re a first-time FAFSA filer, you now have your chance at winning one of 40 prizes worth $10,000 or one of 10 grand prizes worth $50,000.

The sweepstakes is a collaboration between the state, MiLEAP (Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential), and the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), and it’s part of a broader push to make college more affordable and accessible for Michiganders.

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What is the FAFSA and why should I fill it out?

If you’ve never filled out the FAFSA before, it’s such a huge help to students. FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the essential first step to receiving most kinds of financial aid at Colleges and Universities around the US.

The money you could get includes grants, scholarships, work-study, and low-interest loans that make it possible for so many Michiganders to go to school when they wouldn’t be able to otherwise. And now, filling it out could lead to a surprise cash windfall.

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According to MCAN, just over 50% of Michigan students submitted a FAFSA last year. This year, the number is already nearing 40%, and the hope is that this sweepstakes will push more first-timers to take the plunge. So if you’re thinking about college (or just exploring your options) it literally pays to fill out your FAFSA.