100 Michigan kids will receive $15,000 in prepaid tuition through statewide giveaway

Sentinel Staff
·2 min read
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LANSING — One hundred Michigan children are set to benefit from a $1.5 million tuition giveaway announced Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Michigan Education Trust, a random, statewide drawing will be held to award $15,000 prepaid tuition prizes to 100 Michigan children.

The Michigan Education Trust is holding a giveaway that will award $15,000 in prepaid tuition to 100 Michigan children between birth and age 5.
The Michigan Education Trust is holding a giveaway that will award $15,000 in prepaid tuition to 100 Michigan children between birth and age 5.

“This life-changing giveaway is an awesome way to celebrate 35 years of helping Michigan families save for higher education,” Whitmer stated. “It will help more students attain the education and skills they will need to achieve their career goals and bring us closer to meeting our goal of 60% of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.

“I would encourage any family thinking about saving for higher education to look into MET — as my parents did for me — and start today.”

Any Michigan resident age 18 or older can enter the contest on behalf of a beneficiary who will be between birth and age 5 as of Aug. 31, 2022. Entries are limited to one per person, but multiple people can enter on behalf of the same child.

Drawings for the Michigan Education Trust's $1.5 million prepaid tuition giveaway will begin Sept. 12. The entry period began May 26 and is open until Aug. 31.
Drawings for the Michigan Education Trust's $1.5 million prepaid tuition giveaway will begin Sept. 12. The entry period began May 26 and is open until Aug. 31.

The entry period opened May 26 and will remain open through Aug. 31. To enter and view rules and eligibility, visit METgiveaway.com. Winners will be announced in a series of drawings beginning Sept. 12.

Prize money may be used to pay for future tuition and mandatory fees at a community college, college, university or trade school in accordance with MET terms and conditions.

The giveaway is not being funded with tax dollars, according to a release from the governor’s office. There is currently a record surplus for the MET as a result of “a prudent investment strategy.”

The MET Board of Directors unanimously agreed to use a portion of the surplus to elevate awareness of the MET and provide higher education access to Michigan children.

The Michigan Education Trust, signed into law in December 1986, is a prepaid tuition savings program that allows families to “pay for future higher education at today’s price.” Contributions to MET accounts are tax deductible and are refundable if the beneficiary chooses not to attend college.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Michigan Education Trust to give away $1.5 million in prepaid tuition