THE LEGISLATIVE MERIT AWARD PROGRAM ACT
Act 228 of 1976
AN ACT to provide for scholarships to high school graduates of this state; and to prescribe the powers and duties of the Michigan higher education assistance authority.

History: 1976, Act 228, Imd. Eff. Aug. 4, 1976

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

390.1301 Short title.

Sec. 1.

This act shall be known and may be cited as "the legislative merit award program act".

History: 1976, Act 228, Imd. Eff. Aug. 4, 1976

390.1302 State academic achievement scholarships; establishment; purpose; basis of award.

Sec. 2.

The Michigan higher education assistance authority, hereafter called the authority, shall establish state academic achievement scholarships to encourage academic excellence and to foster the pursuit of higher education and shall award those scholarships to students on the basis of scores on designated national examinations.

History: 1976, Act 228, Imd. Eff. Aug. 4, 1976
Compiler's Notes: For transfer of authority, powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities of the Michigan higher education assistance authority, the Michigan higher education student loan authority, and the office of student financial assistance services in the department of education to the department of treasury, see E.R.O. No. 1995-2, compiled at MCL 12.181 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.For the transfer of the powers and duties for the administration of certain scholarship and grant programs from the office of postsecondary financial planning within the department of treasury to the director of MiLEAP, see E.R.O. No. 2023-2, compiled at MCL 388.1283.

390.1303 Number and amount of scholarships to be awarded annually.

Sec. 3.

The authority shall award scholarships annually in the amount of $1,000.00 to the top scorers on a national examination designated by the authority without regard to the financial circumstances of the students or their families and without reference to other aid for which the student may qualify. The number of scholarships shall be determined by dividing the amount appropriated by the legislature by $1,000.00.

History: 1976, Act 228, Imd. Eff. Aug. 4, 1976 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 386, Eff. July 1, 1981

390.1304 Eligibility for scholarship.

Sec. 4.

A person is eligible for a scholarship award if the person meets all of the following qualifications:

(a) Has resided in this state continuously for the preceding 12 months and is not considered a resident of any other state.

(b) Has not graduated from high school at the time of the scholarship examination.

(d) Is not enrolled in an institution whose primary purpose is to prepare students for ordination or appointment as a member of the clergy of a church, denomination, or religious association, order, or sect.

History: 1976, Act 228, Imd. Eff. Aug. 4, 1976 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 386, Eff. July 1, 1981 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 182, Imd. Eff. July 1, 2004

390.1305 Payment of scholarship; certification; method.

Sec. 5.

(1) Before payment of the scholarship is made, the recipient shall certify in writing the name of the postsecondary school in which the recipient is enrolled and the recipient's intent to use the award for payment of educational expenses.

(2) The payment of the scholarship shall be made, at the option of the recipient, in 1 lump sum at the time of enrollment in a postsecondary institution or in prorated payments issued to the student or to the postsecondary institution for credit to the student's account during the student's course of study.

History: 1976, Act 228, Imd. Eff. Aug. 4, 1976 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 386, Eff. July 1, 1981

390.1306 Discrimination prohibited.

Sec. 6.

The scholarships shall be awarded by the authority on the basis of merit and without regard to race, religion, sex, color, or national origin.

History: 1976, Act 228, Imd. Eff. Aug. 4, 1976

390.1307 Rules.

Sec. 7.

The authority shall promulgate rules necessary to implement this act pursuant to Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, as amended, being sections 24.201 to 24.315 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

History: 1976, Act 228, Imd. Eff. Aug. 4, 1976
Admin Rule: R 390.1501 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 233 of 2024 provides:"Enacting section 2. The following rules are rescinded:(a) R 390.1501 to R 390.1512 of the Michigan Administrative Code.(b) R 390.1651 to R 390.1663 of the Michigan Administrative Code.(c) R 390.1701 to R 390.1709 of the Michigan Administrative Code.(d) R 390.1721 to R 390.1728 of the Michigan Administrative Code.(e) R 390.1751 to R 390.1759 of the Michigan Administrative Code.(f) R 390.1771 to R 390.1779 of the Michigan Administrative Code."

Rendered 8/16/2025 3:52 PM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov