Michigan Tech Offers In-State Tuition to US Military Families Everywhere

Starting with the first summer term of 2008, Michigan Technological University will offer in-state tuition to out-of-state students who are the offspring or spouse of a person on active U.S. military duty. Michigan Tech’s Board of Trustees approved the new Military Family Education Award at its December meeting.

The award is meant to recognize and thank the military men and women who are serving their country.

“Our military men and women are putting their lives on the line for us every day,” said Michigan Tech President Glenn D. Mroz. “We hope that offering this educational assistance to their families will give them one less thing to worry about.”

The innovative idea arose earlier this year, after the son of a military man stationed outside Michigan was denied in-state tuition at a public university, even though he had graduated from a Michigan high school while his father was stationed in the state. Michigan is one of only three states that don’t automatically grant in-state tuition to Michigan residents stationed elsewhere or to non-residents stationed in Michigan.

“As far as we know, Michigan Tech is the first university in the country to offer this kind of award,” said John Lehman, assistant vice president for enrollment services.

U.S. Senator Carl Levin praised Michigan Tech for making the bold move to become the first state university to establish a policy granting in-state tuition to immediate family members of persons on active military duty anywhere in the world.

“We are deeply indebted to our men and women in uniform for their bravery and sacrifice,” said Levin, a Michigan senator who is chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Michigan Tech’s decision to offer in-state tuition to the children or spouse of anyone on active military duty is a good way to show support for our military families.”

Retired Major General James A. Pocock, MOAA Michigan Council president, commented: “The Michigan Council of the Military Officers Association of America applauds Michigan Technological University’s initiative in expanding in-state tuition status to children and spouses of all active duty service members. By going above and beyond what other universities offer, Michigan Tech demonstrates its support and appreciation for the contributions of America’s servicemen and women.”

Students will be eligible for a Military Family Education Award if a parent or spouse is on active military duty at the time the student applies to Michigan Tech. If a parent or spouse goes on active duty after a student is admitted, the student will be eligible for a Military Service Award at the beginning of the next semester.

Military Family Education Award recipients will have to qualify for admission to the University. Once a student receives the award, he or she will continue to receive it until graduation, providing a satisfactory record is maintained, even if the family member’s military status changes.

Students with a parent or spouse on full-time duty with the National Guard for more than a year also will be eligible for the Military Family Education Award.

There are more than 1.3 million men and women on active military duty in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Guard and Reserve. “We welcome and encourage their children and spouses to apply to Michigan Tech,” Lehman said.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.