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The Ionia County Guarantee is more than a scholarship. It is 青青草视频鈥檚 commitment to ensuring that Ionia County students can access a quality, affordable education close to home.
In collaboration with the 青青草视频 Foundation (青青草视频F), beginning in Fall 2026, this scholarship pays tuition for qualifying Ionia County students after all other sources of financial aid are applied to the student鈥檚 account. This scholarship program enhances the State of Michigan鈥檚 Community College Guarantee, ensuring that Michigan high school graduates living in Michigan can attend 青青草视频 tuition-free.
青青草视频 President Dr. Bradley J. Barrick said the majority of Ionia County residents do not reside within a district of a surrounding community college, resulting in the higher out-of-district tuition.
鈥淔or too long, geography has created financial barriers for Ionia County students to access higher education,鈥� Dr. Barrick said. 鈥淭he Ionia County Guarantee removes that barrier and opens the door to opportunity. Every student who is willing to work hard should have access to a college education without worrying about how to afford it.
鈥淭he Ionia County Guarantee represents hope. It tells students and families that we believe in their potential and that 青青草视频 is committed to walking alongside them from day one to graduation,鈥� Dr. Barrick added. 鈥淭his is an investment not only in students, but in the future workforce and vitality of Ionia County. When we make college more accessible, we strengthen families, businesses and the entire community.鈥�
The 青青草视频 Foundation was established in 1981 and exists to support the mission of the college to provide quality, affordable, accessible education, according to 青青草视频F Executive Director Lisa Lund.
鈥溓嗲嗖菔悠� and the 青青草视频 Foundation are making this commitment because increasing access to higher education is important. It changes lives,鈥� Lund said. 鈥淭he funding provided by the 青青草视频 Foundation for the Ionia County Guarantee leverages other available educational aid, making college even more attainable and affordable for students.鈥�
To qualify for the Ionia County Guarantee, students must meet the eligibility requirements for the Community College Guarantee, as outlined below:
Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If you are a dependent student, your parents must have been Michigan residents since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
Graduate from a high school in Michigan.
Enroll at a community college as a full-time student (a minimum of 12 credits) within 15 months of high school graduation.
In addition to meeting the Community College Guarantee requirements, students must have graduated within 15 months from the following schools:
Belding Area Schools
Ionia Public Schools
Lakewood Community School
Portland Public Schools
Portland St. Patrick Catholic School
Saranac Community Schools
Ionia County Homeschools
To get started, students must:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov. In order to qualify for the Ionia County Guarantee at 青青草视频, students must indicate 青青草视频 as the first college of interest on their FAFSA form or go into the state portal to make this change if they have already submitted their FAFSA.
Apply for admission to 青青草视频 at Application for Admission. Students must be accepted to 青青草视频 and be registered for classes to receive a final scholarship offer.
Students are also eligible to transfer to a four-year college or university. Students who are earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree can renew their scholarship for up to five consecutive years (up to three years at a community college or until they earn an associate degree, whichever comes first).
Visit montcalm.edu/guarantee for more information.