Students who are Michigan residents but attend high school outside Michigan are now eligible to take the state's Michigan Merit Examination (MME) and qualify for the $4000 Michigan Promise scholarship.

Governor Jennifer Granholm signed into law this week Public Act 42 of 2007 which effectively amends the Michigan Promise scholarship to include students who, for example, attend high school in Toledo yet live in Michigan. Eligibility for the Michigan Promise scholarship had previously been limited to residents who graduate from a Michigan high school.

"We applaud the legislature and Governor for restoring eligibility to these students," said Dr. Ed Roeber, executive director of the Michigan Department of Education which administers the Michigan Merit Examination.

When the Michigan Merit Award was replaced by the enhanced Michigan Promise scholarship, a change in the language prevented out-of-state students from earning the award. "The new law re-opens the door for these students, as well as for children of Michigan residents serving on active military duty outside our state," said Roeber. "We know this also comes as good news to our colleagues in the Department of Treasury who administer the scholarship."

Students who are Michigan residents yet attend high school outside Michigan are encouraged to visit the Department of Education website (www.michigan.gov/mme) or call the department toll-free at 877-560-8378 to learn how to register to take the MME this fall. Fall testing is for seniors only; juniors test in Spring 2008 along with any seniors who still need to test or re-test.

Questions about the Michigan Promise scholarship should be addressed to the Department of Treasury by calling toll-free 888-447-2687.