Free pizza for a year is on the menu for 100 Michigan high school seniors but there's a catch. To grab a slice of the pie, students have to serve up a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to unlock financial aid for college, including the sizable Michigan Achievement Scholarship. This unique contest, known as "Reach for the Pie," is the crust of a campaign started Tuesday by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist at Grand Ledge High School to spike the state's lagging FAFSA completion rates, according to The Detroit News.
Michigan ranks a dismal 30th nationwide for FAFSA completion, with only 26% of high school seniors submitting the form, as per the National College Attainment Network's data. The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is looking to spice things up, partnering with Hungry Howie's and the Michigan Credit Union League in this cheesy endeavor. Filing the FAFSA not only slings students a shot at free grub, but it's also the golden ticket to the federal Pell Grant, which is tossing up to $7,395 at Michigan's college-bound folks for the 2024-25 academic year, The Detroit News reports.
The FAFSA Week of Action, announced by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education, runs from April 15-19, a window to emphasize the form's significance in financing the future of students. "This is free money that comes within 15 minutes on your phone to fill out the FAFSA," Lt. Gilchrist told students, as quoted by The Detroit News. His words encouraged students to invest a slice of their time in a potential box full of opportunity.
Those vying for the year-long pizza prize must text FAFSA to an official number, then fill out a form with their name, and email, adding a mailing address to cap it off. Even those students who've previously filled out the form can throw their hat in the ring, with the contest closing on June 30. Free pizza winners will be topped off on or after August 1. It's all part of an effort to fuel not just hungry college kids, but a brighter, debt-free future.
"Our independently owned and operated franchises are deeply rooted in their communities," stated Kevin Dittrich, franchisee owner of Hungry Howie's in the Lansing area, highlighting the participation of local businesses in important education initiatives. With more than just pepperoni and cheese on the line, the "Reach for the Pie" initiative serves up a tasty incentive for a future that is both financially wise and well-educated, according to the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.
