DETROIT – Wayne State University is expanding its free tuition program, and now some transfer students will be eligible.
Starting with the fall 2026 semester, the Wayne State Guarantee tuition pledge program will cover the full cost of tuition and standard fees, along with federal, state and other scholarships and grants, for transfer students, according to a release from the university.
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“Expanding the Wayne State Guarantee to transfer students removes one of the most difficult financial barriers to a four-year degree that our students face, and that is something worth celebrating,” said Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Charles Cotton. “This expansion makes the Wayne State Guarantee one of the most accessible and comprehensive transfer-focused affordability efforts in Michigan, ensuring that financial circumstances do not obstruct students’ academic goals. By extending the guarantee, Wayne State is widening pathways to a bachelor’s degree and advancing educational opportunity statewide.”
Transfer student eligibility requirements for Wayne State Guarantee
Here are the eligibility requirements for transfer students:
- Be an incoming undergraduate transfer student who is a Michigan resident, admitted for Fall 2026 into a degree‑seeking program.
- Have an incoming GPA of 3.25 or higher.
- Qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.
- Have a household income of $80,000 or less and assets of $50,000 or less, as confirmed on the 2026–27 FAFSA.
- Be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours per semester) during fall and winter.
- Ensure WSU receives the 2026–27 FAFSA by June 1, 2026, and be eligible for federal student aid.
- Submit an application for admission by June 1, 2026.
For more information about the program, click here.
This expansion could potentially benefit thousands of transfer students from other four-year institutions and community colleges.
According to the release, the university welcomed more than 1,370 new transfer students from nearly 220 schools last year.
Of those new transfer students, 75% came from community colleges. In addition, 73% of the new transfer students were enrolled full-time and 49% were first-generation college students.
Wayne State also has a 70.2% graduation rate for full-time, four-year transfer students. The university noted that this is much higher than the 55% completion rate for Michigan community college transfers.
This change follows another recent expansion to the university’s free tuition program.
Last year, Wayne State raised the income threshold from $70,000 to $80,000.
“At Wayne State, we believe talent is universal and opportunity should be as well,” said Wayne State President Richard A. Bierschbach. “Expanding the Wayne State Guarantee to include transfer students reflects our deep commitment to creating clear pathways to a bachelor’s degree. Transfer students bring determination, experience and resilience to our campus, and they deserve the same assurance that cost will not stand in the way of completing their education. This expansion strengthens our promise to Michigan families and reinforces Wayne State’s role as a national leader in access and social mobility.”