Future Proud Michigan Educator: Military Veterans Grant

The Future Proud Michigan Educator: Military Veterans Grant program provides a method for local districts to implement a paid mentorship and salary program for military veterans seeking teacher certification. As part of Michigan's initiative to expand and diversify the educator workforce and address staffing shortages, this program facilitates pathways for military veterans to enter PK-12 classrooms.

Local education agencies (LEAs), both traditional public school districts and public school academies (PSAs), are eligible to apply on behalf of eligible veterans. Veterans themselves cannot apply directly. Veteran participants must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, be enrolled in student teaching at a Michigan-approved educator preparation provider, and meet the statutory definition of a veteran under MCL 35.61.

Project eligibility requires student teaching placements lasting one semester (defined as 12-15 weeks for traditional route candidates or the final 16-18 weeks for alternative route candidates). The veteran must shadow a qualified mentor teacher in the applicable grade level or subject area at a school operated by the district. Completion requires mentor approval and recommendation. Grant funds may be used for student teacher salary support, post-certification salary differentials, subject examination fees, mentor teacher stipends, and program support staff. Applying districts must agree to phase out grant funding so that 100% of participant salaries are paid from district/non-grant sources by September 30, 2027.

When application cycles are open, eligible LEAs and PSAs apply online. Applicants must register via MiLogin for Third Party Users, request access to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Grant Electronic Monitoring System/Michigan Administrative Review System (GEMS/MARS), formulate a project budget with their business office, and complete the 'Future Proud Michigan Educator Veterans Grant Application' questionnaire within GEMS/MARS.