The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) offers the Barrier Removal – Direct to Students grant as part of its broader Sixty by 30 Student Success initiative. This grant is designed to remove financial and logistical obstacles that prevent students from completing their postsecondary education. The initiative is grounded in MiLEAP’s commitment to increase the number of Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or credential, aiming to reach 60% attainment by 2030.
The Barrier Removal – Direct to Students grant provides funding to support students directly through emergency aid and other forms of assistance. These funds can be used to cover essential needs such as childcare, transportation, housing, food, textbooks, internet access, and other program-related supplies. The intent is to target barriers that might derail a student’s educational journey and to enable timely and successful degree or credential completion.
Eligible applicants include community colleges, tribal colleges, public colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations that partner with a college or university. Importantly, entities that have already received a 2024 grant in this category are not eligible to apply again. The grant is formula-based, determined by the population of Pell-eligible students served by the applicant institution. Detailed award maximums are specified in a separate Barrier Removal Award Max Tables document.
Applications must be submitted via the EGrAMS Portal by the stated deadline of April 11. Paper applications will not be accepted and are provided for planning purposes only. Proposals can support either new or existing direct-to-student aid programs. Regardless of the program’s status, applications will be evaluated on their logical structure, targeting approach, ability to distribute funds efficiently, cross-departmental collaboration, and commitment to impact tracking and reporting.
MiLEAP emphasizes that applications should clearly demonstrate how institutions plan to meet students where they are, ensuring that aid reaches those most in need. The program also requires applicants to maintain consistent and transparent reporting protocols to monitor effectiveness and impact. For questions or more information, interested parties are encouraged to consult the Frequently Asked Questions section or reach out via the official program email.
This grant opportunity operates within a larger ecosystem of competitive grants designed to elevate student outcomes across Michigan. It recurs annually, with the next expected cycle anticipated in Spring 2026. Applicants are advised to monitor the MiLEAP website for updates on future funding rounds, webinars, and support office hours.
Ensure application includes clear strategy for fund targeting, efficient distribution, collaboration across departments, and plans for impact tracking.
