Homeschool benefits: Traverse City and six-county Northwestern Michigan
Northwestern Michigan College's (NMC) Commitment Scholarship pays $2,000 a year for up to three years, $6,000 in total, on top of Pell Grants and the Community College Guarantee. Homeschooled students in NMC's six-county region who will be the first in their family to earn a college degree and show financial need can apply themselves, from January 1 of 10th grade through December 31 of 12th grade, starting with the class of 2028.
Who qualifies
Homeschools in the six counties
Your student must attend high school or be homeschooled in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Kalkaska, or Wexford County.
Is first-generation with financial need
Neither parent has earned an associate degree or higher, and your student demonstrates financial need.
Graduates in 2028 or later
The expanded program starts with the high school class of 2028, so current sophomores, juniors, and seniors in that class or later can apply.
Completes the program steps
Send a transcript with the application, attend two qualifying NMC events before the first fall semester, file the FAFSA each year, and enroll at NMC within 15 months of graduation.
What it is worth
NMC awards $2,000 per year for up to three years, and the award can be combined with other federal and state aid.
- First year
- $2,000
- Two years
- $4,000
- Three years
- $6,000
- Applicants accepted per school
- No limit
If more students apply than the program can support, NMC accepts them in the order they finish every requirement, so send the application, transcript, and signed contract early.
From applying to keeping it
- From January 1 of 10th grade
Apply online
Your student fills out the program application; no counselor nomination is needed.
- With the application
Email the transcript
Send your homeschool transcript to the Commitment Scholarship Coordinator at rkawula@nmc.edu, and sign the program contract.
- Before the first fall semester
Attend two NMC events
Qualifying events include the twice-yearly Commitment Program events, College Night, Applying to College 101, Quick Start, the Financial Aid Fair, and the Career and Majors Fair.
- By December 31 of 12th grade
Finish the application window
Apply to NMC and complete the FAFSA, then enroll within 15 months of graduating.
- Each year at NMC
File the FAFSA again
The award continues for up to three years as long as your student completes the FAFSA every year they attend.
What it pays for
Covered
- Books
- Other college expenses beyond tuition
- Up to $2,000 a year for three years
Not covered
- Students with a parent who holds an associate degree or higher
- Students outside NMC's six-county region
- Graduating classes before 2028 under the new rules
The scholarship stacks with Pell Grants, the Michigan Tuition Incentive Program, and the Community College Guarantee; NMC says that for many students tuition is already covered, so Commitment funds help with books and other expenses.
Individual donors fund the program through an NMC Foundation endowment, so acceptance follows the order of completed requirements when applicants exceed what it can support.
Who to contact
Rorie Kawula coordinates the program, receives transcripts, and answers eligibility questions.
rkawula@nmc.edu 231-995-1022 Commitment Scholarship page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Michigan
No state report under the parent-led homeschool exemption, MCL 380.1561(3)(f). The nonpublic-school route has separate reporting; an annual membership report is required for eligibility for auxiliary services.
Michigan sets these rules:
- Subjects: Under exemption (f), provide an organized program in reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar. The nonpublic-school route requires subjects comparable to local public schools.
- Testing: Michigan does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: No prescribed homeschool portfolio or attendance-record format under exemption (f). Keep progress records for transfers; the nonpublic-school route has separate reporting requirements.
- Teachers: Under exemption (f), the instructor must be the child’s parent or legal guardian; no degree or teaching credential is required. MDE requires a reporting nonpublic homeschool parent to have at least a bachelor’s degree unless a sincerely held religious objection applies.
Read the Michigan homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Michigan
Questions parents ask
- What does first-generation mean for the NMC Commitment Scholarship?
- It means neither parent has earned an associate degree or higher. A parent with some college but no degree does not disqualify your student.
- My student's GPA is under 2.5. Can they still get the Commitment Scholarship?
- Yes, if it is at least 2.0. NMC lowered the requirement to a 2.0 cumulative GPA for the class of 2028 and later.
- Does my student have to start at NMC right after graduation?
- No, but they must enroll within 15 months of graduating from high school.
- Can it be combined with other aid?
- Yes. It is separate from other scholarships and works alongside federal and state financial aid programs.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
College classes can cover part of high school. We teach the subjects your child needs alongside them, starting at the right level in each subject.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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