3.0 GPA now guarantees admission to 10 Michigan public universities

Michigan high school graduates with a 3.0 GPA or higher will be guaranteed admission at most of the state’s public universities
University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Michigan State University are not part of the group
Leaders hope the program will build momentum around a state scholarship for high school graduates

Michigan high school graduates with a 3.0 grade point average or higher will be guaranteed admission to ten out of the 15 public universities, leaders announced Tuesday.

The universities are part of the new Michigan Assured Admission Pact (MAAP), which will begin guaranteeing admissions for qualifying students during the fall 2024 admission cycle.

High school students interested in attending one of the schools still need to apply to the individual school in order to be admitted. The program does not impact the cost of attendance, but a separate, new state scholarship is helping lower costs for families.

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University leaders announced the program Tuesday and said it does not lower admission standards for the schools but rather creates an easy-to-understand message about college admissions.

Central Michigan University President Bob Davies said in a media briefing that a student with a 3.0 in high school would likely already get into CMU but the new program removes “that ambiguity, it removes that stress level” and that “fear of applying and not being accepted.”

Central Michigan University President Bob Davies said a new partnership between 10 public universities will help take some of the confusion out of applying for college.

Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Northern Michigan University, Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University, University of Michigan-Dearborn, University of Michigan-Flint, and Wayne State University are all participating in the program.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan Technological University and Western Michigan University are not part of the compact.

Dan Hurley, the CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities, said he believes the guaranteed admission program combined with the new Michigan Achievement Scholarship will help students earn degrees and universities boost enrollment.

The state scholarship provides up to $5,500 per school year for students to attend a Michigan public university. The scholarship provides lower amounts for attending an independent nonprofit college or two-year community college in the state.

“We think with that affordability and the assurance of being admitted to these universities, it will motivate students to consider enrolling at a public university next fall and we really hope that will turn around enrollment,” Hurley said.

Dan Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities, said several public universities are experiencing enrollment increases from past years.

Michigan public universities have struggled with student enrollment in recent years with both declining birth rates and a declining share of high school graduates choosing to enroll in college. But Hurley said several schools are reporting enrollment increases this fall and the state university association plans to release its fall enrollment report likely next month.

States have instituted different programs to help demystify the college admissions process.

In Washington, high schools can share student data with colleges and universities to determine if a student qualifies for admission before formally applying. In participating school districts, students are guaranteed admission to six public universities if they have a 3.0 GPA or higher and have completed or are on track to meet certain state standards.

Michigan political leaders have approved a series of measures to make college more affordable.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has set a goal of having 60 percent of working age adults with a skills certificate or college degree by 2030. Currently, that rate is 50.5 percent.

A Democrat-sponsored bill would make filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or an opt-out form a high school graduation requirement starting with the 2024-2025 school year.