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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

July 28, 2025

Contact: [email protected]

 

*Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Joins MiLEAP and MCAN to Announce 50 Michigan Students Awarded Nearly $1M Through Ticket to Tuition Giveaway*

"Over 21,000 entered to win, winning students highlight the power of FAFSA in unlocking financial aid for college"

 

*DETROIT, Mich.* — Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II joined the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) and the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) today at Wayne State University (WSU) to celebrate 50 Michigan students who were each awarded up to $50,000 through the state’s Ticket to Tuition giveaway. Launched by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and MiLEAP in partnership with MCAN [ [link removed] ], the initiative awarded forty $10,000 prizes and ten $50,000 prizes to first-time FAFSA filers through a Michigan Education Savings Program [ [link removed] ] account, promoting FAFSA completion, removing financial barriers and putting more students on the path to success. 

 

“Every student in Michigan deserves a fair shot at success, no matter their background, zip code or income,” said *Lt. Gov. Gilchrist II*. “Through the Ticket to Tuition giveaway, we awarded nearly $1 million to 50 students from every region of our state. While this funding is truly life-changing for those selected, completing the FAFSA is a win for everyone because it unlocks scholarships that make college more affordable. We will continue making historic investments to make the first two years of community college tuition free and ensure all postsecondary education is more accessible. Let's keep working together to break down barriers and build a stronger Michigan where everyone can build a brighter future.” 

 

“We launched the Ticket to Tuition giveaway with a clear goal to help more students complete the FAFSA and access the resources they need to pursue college or career training,” said *Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP*. “The 50 winners we announced today, and the thousands of other FAFSA filers, now have a head start on their future. College, skilled trades and career training aren’t just for some, they’re for everyone. At MiLEAP, we’ll continue striving to ensure every learner has the support they need to take that next step.” 

 

Completing the FAFSA unlocks access to a range of federal and state financial aid programs, including federal Pell Grants; the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee, which offer recent high school graduates the opportunity to earn a skill certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree at reduced or no-cost tuition; and Michigan Reconnect, which allows adults ages 25 and older to attend their local community college tuition-free.  

 

By the end of the giveaway entry period in May, approximately 50,000 students had completed the FAFSA, and 21,112 of them entered Ticket to Tuition. 

 

“Before winning, I knew I wanted to go to college, but I was unsure how I was going to afford it and I didn’t want to take on massive student debt,” said *Cadie Benedict, a $50,000 winner* *attending Michigan State University (MSU) in the fall*. “MSU was my dream, but I was leaning toward community college because it would be a lot cheaper and I could live at home to save money. Now, I get to join my sister at my dream school, and I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to pay for it.” 

 

“I always knew I wanted to go to college, but like everyone else, me and my family were never quite sure how we were going to pay for it all,” said *Lukas Gojcaj, a $50,000 winner attending WSU in the fall.* “Now, a big chunk is paid for. The impact of this is not just about me and my future though, it is also about my two brothers and my sister and their futures. I am the oldest and the first to go to college. This award allows my parents to save even more money for my brothers and sister so that they can go to college when the time comes and that is very important. So, this took a lot of pressure off of me and impacted six futures in our family.” 

 

“The Ticket to Tuition giveaway was an innovative way to spark urgency around FAFSA completion, one of the most important steps a student can take toward accessing college,” said *Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director at MCAN.* “It proved that when we show up for students with encouragement, clear information and real incentives, they respond with action. We’re incredible proud of these students for taking that first step toward their futures. At MCAN, our mission is to make college a reality for every student in Michigan, especially those who face the highest barriers. This giveaway helped bring that mission to life in a powerful way.” 

 

“To anyone considering enrolling in college or career training, it’s not too late,” said *Michelle Richard, deputy director for Higher Education at MiLEAP*. “You can still complete the FAFSA and enroll in classes this fall. Completing the FAFSA continues to be the most important step for students to access critical federal and state financial aid, and the application that now takes less than 15 minutes to complete.” 

 

MiLEAP urges all eligible Michiganders to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to take full advantage of available programs, including the Michigan Achievement Scholarship [ [link removed] ], Community College Guarantee [ [link removed] ], Michigan Reconnect [ [link removed] ] and more.  

 

The Ticket to Tuition Giveaway builds on the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration’s efforts to make higher education more affordable and accessible to help meet the state’s Sixty by 30 goal [ [link removed] ] to have at least 60% of Michiganders with a degree or skills certificate by 2030. Through programs like Michigan Reconnect [ [link removed] ], Futures for Frontliners, and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship [ [link removed] ], the administration has reduced the cost of college and skills training for hundreds of thousands of residents, helping them pursue high-paying careers. Michigan Reconnect [ [link removed] ] has created a tuition-free path for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders 25 and older to earn an associate’s degree or skills certificate. The Michigan Guarantee [ [link removed] ] ensures every high school graduate can earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate at their local community college. Investments in initiatives like Going Pro [ [link removed] ] support business efforts to upskill employees, retain talent, and expand partnerships with union training facilities. Over the past four years, the administration has helped create more than 22,000 new apprenticeships and proposed historic expansions to Career and Technical Education [ [link removed] ], as well as registered apprenticeship and readiness programs to open more pathways to opportunity. 

 

The complete list of Ticket to Tuition winners: 

 

*$50,000 winners:* 

Cadie Benedict, Chelsea 

Maya Dakroub, Dearborn 

Lukas Gojcaj, Farmington Hills 

Angel Griffith, Detroit 

Calli Heleski, Riverdale 

Nathan Herbert, Detroit 

Elinor Molesta, Ada 

Tessa Prough, Otsego 

Gavin Willis, Blanchard 

Blake Woodliff, Burton 

 

*$10,000 winners:* 

Maya Bingle, Zeeland 

Kazhmier Burns, Monroe 

Ayah Chahine, Dearborn 

Bryan Cortez, Muskegon 

Nicholas Curry, Adrian 

Emily Fuller, Eaton Rapids 

Malakai Gallant, Michigan Center 

Kennedy Glentz, Harbor Springs 

Jackson Hoorn, Belmont 

Tyler Johnson, Otsego 

Giovanni Kadets, Fraser 

Kathryn Kuptz, Davison 

Airyana Lott, Buchanan 

Melaina Magnusson, Spring Arbor 

Ah’ja McCoy, Pontiac 

Esmeralda Mendoza-Segura, Lansing 

Skylar Metro, Almont 

Cecilia Moore, Canton 

Taya Motto-Polaski, Wallace 

Hassan Mustapha, Dearborn 

Maddox Podmokly, Royal Oak 

Connor Riker, Pentwater 

Carson Riopelle, Atlas 

Lamya Robinson, Roseville 

Ryan Rowland, Livonia 

Deanna Ruiz, Saline 

Lauren Skidmore, Dearborn 

Justin Stewart, Wyandotte 

Tasnim Sultana Omi, Warren 

Jayden Swanson, Palmer 

Graceful Tompkins, Interlochen 

Lauren Trader, Albion 

Kathryn Weatherford, Caledonia 

Emma Witbrodt, Frankenmuth 

Nathan Wittbrodt, Hudsonville 

Keren Ventura, Benton Harbor 

Long Vo, Dearborn Heights 

Ariana Wolfe, Farmington 

Elia Yvon, Essexville 

Milton Zhou, Ann Arbor 

 

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