New Olivet College scholarship to offer free tuition for eligible students

Mark Johnson, Lansing State Journal
·4 min read
Olivet College President Steven Corey announces the Olivet College ADVANTAGE Scholarship on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, at J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing. He is flanked, from left, by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sexton Principal Dan Boggan, Lansing School District Superintendent Benjamin Shuldiner and Emma Marie Asaf, a 2019 Sexton graduate and a senior at Olivet College.

LANSING — Olivet College Thursday announced a new scholarship that will offer free tuition for many Michigan students.

At a press event inside Lansing School District’s J.W. Sexton High School, Olivet College President Steven Corey announced the Olivet College ADVANTAGE Scholarship. Starting in 2023, eligible Michigan students will have the opportunity to attend the small, private college south of Lansing without having to pay tuition and fees.

"I'm pleased to announce the Olivet College ADVANTAGE Scholarship, making Olivet College tuition-free," Corey said, generating cheers and applause among those gathered at the event. "That's right, tuition-free. Traditionally, this will mean half of the Olivet College entering class will be tuition-free."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks following the announcement of the Olivet College ADVANTAGE Scholarship on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 at J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks following the announcement of the Olivet College ADVANTAGE Scholarship on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 at J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing.

He credited leadership from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who spoke at Thursday's event, and the state legislature for establishing the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which provides additional financial aid for students. When combined with the ADVANTAGE Scholarship, Corey said an education at Olivet becomes much more attainable.

Deciding whether to go to college can be a difficult decision, Whitmer said.

"Our kids wonder if they're going to be able to go and how they're going to be able to afford it," she said. "They worry about working full-time and juggling classes and life, or the potential of taking on a lot of debt just to get the skills to get the job that they hope to pursue. These difficult conversations happen around kitchen tables all across our state, but we are changing the nature of those conversations with actions like this."

To qualify for the ADVANTAGE Scholarship, students must meet several requirements, including:

  • Qualify for the new Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which offers students up to $5,500 for those enrolled at any of Michigan’s 15 public universities, up to $4,000 for students attending one of the state’s private nonprofit colleges and up to $2,750 for students enrolled at community colleges and tribal colleges in Michigan.

  • Qualify for a federal Pell grant

  • Complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid and list Olivet College as the first school choice by May 1

  • Must be a first-time student beginning in the fall of 2023

  • Must enroll as a full-time student

"For 178 years, from day one of our founding in 1844, Olivet College has made a college education accessible to anyone, regardless of gender, race or financial needs," Corey said. "The founders wanted to be sure, as we do today, that an Olivet College education is available and accessible for every family in Michigan."

Additionally, students who qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and whose families earn $100,000 or less per year will pay no more than $5,000 in tuition and fees at Olivet College in 2023-24 after state and federal grants are applied.

Those students whose families earn more than $100,000 will receive at least $20,000 in institutional funds from Olivet College toward tuition and fees.

Students will continue to be responsible for the cost of room and board, but they also may apply for a federal student direct loan.

According to the college's website, base costs for 2022-23 total $43,248, including $31,664 for tuition, $11,242 for room and board, and $342 in student fees. The School notes most students qualify for at least some financial aid.

The school, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, offers 36 majors and has about 1,000 students overall.

A four-year college degree can be life-changing, Corey said, starting with higher lifetime earnings and doors opening to new opportunities.

Through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship alone, students attending Olivet or another of Michigan's private colleges can receive $4,000 per year for five years. Students can receive an additional $3,000 annually if they qualify for the Michigan Tuition Grant.

Emma Marie Asaf, a 2019 J.W. Sexton High School graduate and a senior at Olivet College, speaks following the announcement of the Olivet College ADVANTAGE Scholarship on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 at J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing. She is flanked by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Sexton Principal Dan Boggan.
Emma Marie Asaf, a 2019 J.W. Sexton High School graduate and a senior at Olivet College, speaks following the announcement of the Olivet College ADVANTAGE Scholarship on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 at J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing. She is flanked by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Sexton Principal Dan Boggan.

Emma Marie Asaf graduated in 2019 from the Olivet College dual enrollment program at Sexton. She now is a senior at Olivet where she is majoring in insurance and risk management. She expects to graduate in May and is already interviewing for positions.

"How can you beat this? Free college education at one of Michigan's top schools," she said. "I will admit, I'm biased, but Olivet has a special place in my heart."

Contact Mark Johnson at majohnson2@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByMarkJohnson.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Olivet College scholarship to offer free tuition for eligible students