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The Ionia County Guarantee creates opportunities through education for Ionia area students by addressing access and affordability.

In collaboration with the Montcalm Community College Foundation (MCCF), beginning in Fall 2026, this scholarship pays the difference between in-district and out-of-district tuition for qualifying Ionia County students after all other sources of financial aid are applied to the student’s account. This scholarship program enhances the State of Michigan’s Community College Guarantee, ensuring that Michigan high school graduates living in Michigan can attend MCC tuition-free.

Eligibility Criteria 

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

Students are also eligible to transfer to a four-year college or university. Students who are earning a bachelor’s 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).