Grand Valley Pledge
A first-class education, tuition free.
When it comes to a college education, your family's income shouldn't hold you back. That's why we're making a Grand Valley education accessible to more students than ever with the Grand Valley Pledge.
How It Works
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will have federal, state, and institutional gift aid that covers the cost of your tuition.
The Grand Valley Pledge is a way of assuring that we create opportunity and advance equity in the communities in which we live and teach, as well as inspire a broader movement of making higher education accessible to all.
Recipient Eligibility
In order to be considered for the Grand Valley Pledge, recipients must meet the following criteria:
- Undergraduate-degree seeker
- First-year student/freshman
- Admitted for Fall 2027
- Enrolled full-time
- Michigan resident
- File FAFSA by March 1
- Reported Family Adjusted Gross Income of ≤$70,000 on the FAFSA
- Reported Family Assets of ≤$70,000 on the FAFSA
Please note: If you have been awarded other funds or are utilizing benefits toward your tuition, your Grand Valley Pledge amount will be adjusted to cover any remaining tuition cost but will not exceed the total cost of tuition.
Renewal Criteria
The Grand Valley Pledge is renewable for an additional three years, for a total award of eight consecutive fall and winter semesters.
In order to renew their Grand Valley Pledge, recipients must:
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Annually file their FAFSA
- Maintain full-time status
- Maintain Michigan residence
- Continue to Report a Family Adjusted Gross Income of ≤$70,000 on the FAFSA
- Continue to report Family Assets of ≤$70,000 on the FAFSA
The Grand Valley Pledge guarantees that eligible students will receive grants and scholarships from a variety of sources to cover the cost of undergraduate tuition, including full block-rate tuition (12–15 credits) and any additional tuition charges for certain courses.
You won't see a separate scholarship called the GV Pledge on your financial aid offer. Instead, your qualifying gift aid may include federal Pell Grants, other federal grants, state grants, and GVSU grants and scholarships.
If you receive additional financial aid beyond what's needed to cover tuition, you may be able to use those funds toward other educational expenses, such as books, housing, food, and parking.
No, the Grand Valley Pledge is only awarded for courses taken during our Fall and Winter semesters.
Incoming first-year students are required to live on campus. After your first year, you have the option to continue living on campus or to move off campus.
Yes! Outside scholarships can help you pay for college expenses. In most cases, if your total financial aid reaches the estimated cost of attending GVSU, outside scholarships will reduce or replace student loans before other types of financial aid are adjusted.
However, if an outside scholarship or other funding source covers some or all of your tuition, your GV Pledge may be adjusted because the Pledge guarantees gift aid to cover tuition costs.
You must report all outside scholarships to GVSU. For more information, please review our Outside Scholarship Policy.
No, you must be enrolled in at least 12 credits to qualify for the Grand Valley Pledge.
No. Only students seeking their first bachelor's degree qualify for the Grand Valley Pledge.
Adjusted gross income (AGI) appears on tax returns, specifically Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1040, line 11. While filling out the FAFSA, you will be asked to report the total AGI for your household from the 2025 tax year. The AGI reported for both you and your parent(s) will be combined to determine eligibility for the Grand Valley Pledge. You may be selected to submit documentation to verify the amount you report. For additional details, review How to Fill Out the FAFSA Form.
While filling out the FAFSA, you will be asked to report the total current balance of cash, savings, and checking accounts, net worth of investments, and net worth of current businesses and/or investment farms. The assets reported for both you and your parent(s) will be combined to determine eligibility for the Grand Valley Pledge. For additional details, review How to Fill Out the FAFSA Form.
We cannot consider you for the Grand Valley Pledge until you both apply for GVSU and file your FAFSA. We strongly recommend that you file your FAFSA by March 1, as funds may be limited for this program.
Yes, federal and institutional gift and grant aid will automatically renew for students who continue to meet renewal criteria.
After applying to GVSU and filing the FAFSA, you will receive an email notification stating you are eligible to receive the Grand Valley Pledge.
We have a process in place to review special circumstances, such as changes in household income, divorce, death of a parent, etc. For full information and next steps, please visit the Office of Financial Aid's Special Circumstances page.
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