The purpose of the King-Chávez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship Program is to increase
                                    the pool of academically or economically disadvantaged candidates pursuing faculty
                                    teaching or administrative careers in postsecondary education. Preference may not
                                    be given to applicants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national
                                    origin.
                                 The program was created by the Michigan State Legislature in 1986 as part of the larger
                                 King-Chávez-Parks Initiative designed to stem the downward spiral of college graduation
                                 rates for students underrepresented in postsecondary education. Future Faculty Fellows
                                 are eligible to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree at the public universities in
                                 Michigan, and are obligated (by signed agreement) to remain in postsecondary faculty
                                 teaching or administration in a public or private, 2- or 4-year, in-state or out-of-state
                                 postsecondary institution for a minimum of three years equivalent full-time.  
                                 
                                 
A portion of this service obligation may be completed while a student earns his/her
                                    graduate degree.  Fellows who do not fulfill the obligations of their fellowship agreement
                                    may be placed in Default, which results in their fellowship converting to a loan (referred
                                    to as a KCP Loan) that the Fellow repays to the State of Michigan. A Master’s recipient
                                    may receive a maximum of $20,000 towards their degree and a doctoral student may receive
                                    a maximum of $35,000 towards their degree. Learn more about the KCP initiative through the State of Michigan.
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                  
                            
                           
                         
                        
                        
                        Eligibility Criteria
                        
                        To be eligible, an applicant must:
                        
                        
                           
                           - Be a citizen of the United States.
- Meet Michigan Tech's requirements for Michigan residency.
- Have been accepted at Michigan Tech into a graduate degree program that facilitates
                              a career in postsecondary teaching.
- Be in good academic standing, as defined by Michigan Tech.
- Not be currently in default on any guaranteed student loan.
- Have not previously received another FFF Award for the same degree level (master’s
                              or doctorate). (Note: Previous recipients that did not receive the maximum allowable
                              award may reapply for additional funds while still in pursuit of that degree.)
- Not currently be a recipient of an FFF Award at another university for a degree that
                              has not been completed.
- Not have previously had an FFF Award converted to a KCP Loan.
- Be academically or economically disadvantaged, as defined by the KCP Initiative.
Evaluation Criteria
                        
                        Applications will be holistically evaluated by the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Committee
                           and a Michigan Tech staff member on the following criteria:
                        
                        
                           
                           - Academic merit of the candidate.
- Ability of the candidate to conduct independent research.
- Level of commitment to pursuing a career in postsecondary education.
- Level of support from the graduate program.
- Overcoming economic disadvantages.
Application Procedure
                        
                        Current or accepted students who meet the eligibility requirements may apply. Applications
                           are currently being accepted for funding beginning in fall 2026. Applications are
                           due by 4pm, April 20, 2026.
                        
                        
                           
                              
                                 1
                                 Review the eligibility criteria
                               
                              
                                 
                                    
                                    Eligibility Criteria
                                    
                                    To be eligible, an applicant must:
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - 
                                          
                                          
                                             
                                             - 
                                                
                                                
                                                   
                                                   - Be a citizen of the United States.
- Meet Michigan Tech's requirements for Michigan residency.
- Have been accepted at Michigan Tech into a graduate degree program that facilitates
                                                      a career in postsecondary teaching.
- Be in good academic standing, as defined by Michigan Tech.
- Not be currently in default on any guaranteed student loan.
- Have not previously received another FFF Award for the same degree level (master’s
                                                      or doctorate). (Note: Previous recipients that did not receive the maximum allowable
                                                      award may reapply for additional funds while still in pursuit of that degree.)
- Not currently be a recipient of an FFF Award at another university for a degree that
                                                      has not been completed.
- Not have previously had an FFF Award converted to a KCP Loan.
- Be academically or economically disadvantaged, as defined by the KCP Initiative.
 
 
Please contact Dr. Debra Charlesworth with any questions about eligibility prior to proceeding. Please note that you must
                                       be a resident of the State of Michigan when you apply. Contact the Registrar's Office (registrar@mtu.edu) for more information.
                                     
                               
                            
                           
                              
                                 2
                                 Gather the materials needed for your application
                               
                              
                                 
                                    
                                    The materials may be uploaded in one session or over several sessions on the application
                                       portal. A list of what is required is provided here to aid students in preparing their
                                       applications. Please gather:
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - Materials needed to verify the academically or economically disadvantaged eligibility
                                          criteria as described on the State’s eligibility information.
- Copy of your social security card.
- Copy of materials needed to verify your US citizenship (US Passport, Birth Certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the US, Certification of Report of Birth, or Certificate of Citizenship issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services).
- Driver’s license or state ID number
- Unofficial transcript if you have completed a semester of your graduate program at
                                          Michigan Tech.
- Copies of all transcripts for previously earned degrees.
- A two-page (or less) educational and career goal statement linking your interests
                                          and academic preparation to your current studies and postsecondary teaching career
                                          focus.
- Your resume or Curriculum Vitae. It is recommended that this document include personal
                                          and academic honors, campus/community activities, and academic or professional leadership
                                          roles.
- An estimated budget summary of the remaining cost of your graduate degree by semester
                                          (e.g. tuition, fees, books, living expenses) and budget justification. Include an
                                          estimated summary of all sources of income and financial aid that you have received
                                          or plan to receive, including fellowships, graduate assistantships, scholarships,
                                          and grants. Please include a budget justification with supporting details. 
                                          
                                          
                                             
                                             - Estimated costs for each program are available online.
- Please use our budget template to prepare your budget summary.
- Please provide a budget justification that explains how you developed your summary. 
- If you are eligible to apply because you qualified for federal financial aid in the
                                                last five years, please describe in your budget justification how you overcame that
                                                financial hurdle to obtain your bachelor’s degree.
 
- Three letters of recommendation. If your letter writers prefer to submit these directly
                                          to Michigan Tech, they may be emailed to Dr. Debra Charlesworth. Please upload a document indicating who your referees are in lieu of reference letters. 
                                          
                                          
                                             
                                             - One of those letters must be from your graduate advisor at Michigan Tech.
- One of the letters must be from the department chair or college dean (CFRES, COB).
- One of the letters may be from any individual chosen by the applicant.
 
- The following information should be provided to letter writers to guide their letter. 
                                          The letters should describe:
                                          
                                          
                                             
                                             - the chair or dean must describe the willingness of the department or college to provide financial support
                                                to supplement the KCP funds. If the applicant is selected, the Graduate School and
                                                academic unit will work together to provide a funding plan to the student using KCP
                                                funds, Graduate School funds, and academic funds to fully support the student.  Contact
                                                Debra Charlesworth for more information and questions.
- the merit of the candidate.
- the mentoring plan for the student.
- if the student has already earned a graduate degree, the letter must also address
                                                why a second graduate degree is necessary in order to obtain employment in post-secondary
                                                education.
 
 
                               
                            
                           
                           
                              
                                 4
                                 Submit your application
                               
                              
                                 
                                    
                                    
                                       
                                       - Log into the MILogin for Citizens Portal
- Select “Request Access” from the top menu bar
- Search for “KCP Future Faculty Fellowship” in the search box
- Select the “KCP Future Faculty Fellowship” application.
- Select Michigan Technological University and complete your Profile.
- Your Dashboard will now contain a box labeled “My Opportunities.” You may click on
                                          the KCP FFF Application to access the application and provide the information requested.
Questions regarding access to the KCP FFF online system can be sent to LEO-futurefaculty@michigan.gov or you may call the KCP Initiative Office at 517-241-9898.
                                     
                               
                            
                         
                        
                        Questions?
                        
                        Please contact Dr. Debra Charlesworth with questions about the fellowship program or application procedure.