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Pathways to College

The road to college begins here.

From early outreach and student guidance to admission prep and immersive campus experiences, U-M Access & Opportunity provides a range of programs and resources for K-12 learners to empower paths to higher education at the University of Michigan and beyond. 

  • Two individuals in a science lab wearing blue coats and safety goggles, each holding a pipette and smiling at the camera.
  • two teenage males, one dark skinned, one light, walking outside on a college campus wearing white t-shirts with navy
  • A teacher in a blue shirt holds up a small object while demonstrating to students sitting at desks in a classroom laboratory.
  • Three young people looking at a smartphone together, one wearing a light blue t-shirt with
  • Two students sit at desks in a classroom, one with long red hair wearing glasses and the other with dark curly hair wearing a denim jacket with cartoon characters on the back.
  • pre-teen boy wearing a white lab coat and blue gloves holding scissors over a tray
  • Two students, one in a white and green shirt and the other in a black shirt, sit on bleachers and look at each other while holding papers and books. Other students are visible in the background, also seated on bleachers and looking at papers.
  • Two individuals are focused on a laptop screen, with a whiteboard displaying mathematical equations and diagrams in the background.
  • Black male teen wearing grey hoodie sitting at table with cut paper shapes

Resources to Support Your Pre-College Journey

Access & Opportunity Offerings

Wolverine Pathways
Provides free college preparatory enrichment and guidance for 7th through 12th-grade students in Detroit, Southfield, Ypsilanti, and Grand Rapids.
Center for Educational Outreach
Innovative programs, strong partnerships, and statewide experiences that help students see themselves in college — and give them the tools to get there.
Youth Hub
Youth Hub is a crucial resource for K-12 youth and families, connecting them with University of Michigan summer programs.
Watson A. Young Scholarship
Michigan middle and high school students are eligible for a Watson A. Young Scholarship to support their participation in U-M summer programs.

Application Support

Go Blue Guarantee
All three U-M campuses offer the Go Blue Guarantee — free and reduced tuition for up to four years for qualified high-achieving, in-state, full-time undergraduate students.
Undergrad Admissions
Learn about the steps you need to take to become part of our next class of incoming first-year and transfer students.
Office of Financial Aid
Take time to explore and understand all of your financial aid options. There are many resources available to help you cover your costs.
Transfer Student Center
The LSA Transfer Student Center offers resources and staff just for transfer students.

Statewide Resources

Michigan College Access Network
We work to ensure that every student in Michigan has the opportunity to attend college — especially low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color.
Michigan Reconnect
Michigan Reconnect (Reconnect) is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for you to attend your in-district community college tuition-free or offers a large tuition discount if you attend an out-of-district community college.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help recent high school graduates in Michigan receive funds for continuing education.
Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver
The Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver is a program enacted by Public Act 174 of 1976, which waives the tuition costs for eligible Native Americans in public community colleges or universities within Michigan.

Explore Our Campuses

Pathways to College At a Glance

  • Videos
Wolverine Pathways: Access with Transportation
  • Resources
Michigan Pre-College and Youth Outreach Conference
It was really interesting to hear from both Wolverine Pathways alumni and also other students who’ve gone to Michigan without WP. They told us to be yourself; your college professors want to meet the real you.”
Arya
Wolverine Pathways student
  • Videos
Wolverine Pathways | Explore Our Summer Programming
  • Resources
Request a Campus Visit
  • Videos
College Decision Day Teaser | Michigan College Advising Corps
  • Resources
Wolverine Pathways Instagram Page
Participating in Wolverine Pathways since high school has provided me with a new outlook on life. Given that I was initially hesitant about attending higher education due to cost factors, WP took a chance on me and allowed me to not only graduate debt-free, but helped me recognize the importance of knowing your value at the university."
Cameron
Wolverine Pathways alum, LSA 2025