Michigan § 388.1851 - State competitive scholarship program.

(1) Payments of the amounts included in section 236e for the state competitive scholarship program must be distributed pursuant to 1964 PA 208, MCL 390.971 to 390.981.

(2) Pursuant to section 6 of 1964 PA 208, MCL 390.976, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall determine an actual state competitive scholarship award per student, which must be $1,500.00, that ensures that the aggregate payments for the state competitive scholarship program do not exceed the appropriation contained in section 236e for the state competitive scholarship program. If the department determines that insufficient funds are available to establish an award amount equal to $1,500.00, the department shall immediately report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director regarding the estimated amount of additional funds necessary to establish a $1,500.00 award amount. For the purpose of determining a student's financial need under section 6 of 1964 PA 208, MCL 390.976, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall presume that a student who receives a Michigan achievement scholarship under section 248 has no need for a state competitive scholarship under this section. It is the intent of the legislature that 1964 PA 208, MCL 390.971 to 390.981, will be amended to end competitive scholarship eligibility of students enrolling in college for the first time after the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2023, as those students may be eligible for the Michigan achievement scholarship.

(3) The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall implement a proportional competitive scholarship award level for recipients enrolled less than full-time in a given semester or term.

(4) If the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential increases the award per eligible student from that provided in the previous fiscal year, it must not have the effect of reducing the number of eligible students receiving awards in relation to the total number of eligible applicants. Any increase in the award must be proportional for all eligible students receiving awards.

(5) Veterans Administration benefits must not be considered in determining eligibility for the award of scholarships under 1964 PA 208, MCL 390.971 to 390.981.