The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) announced a $135 million appropriation for the 2026-27 Out-of-School Time (OST) Grant Program. The funding, presented in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s FY 27 budget recommendation, targets statewide before-school, after-school and summer learning initiatives.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) released a press statement on February 13, 2026, indicating that $135 million will be available for the 2026-27 Out-of-School Time (OST) Grant Program, which supports before-school, after-school and summer learning programs across Michigan [2]. The announcement coincided with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s FY 27 budget recommendation, which earmarked the funds as part of the state’s education investment for the upcoming fiscal year [3].

MiLEAP Director Aundreana Jones-Poole highlighted the role of the governor’s budget in securing the allocation, while Governor Whitmer, Speaker Jason Hall, and Majority Leader Ryan Brinks were cited as key legislative supporters [3]. Eligible entities, including school districts, community-based organizations, and nonprofit agencies, may apply for grants after attending statewide information sessions organized by MiLEAP [2].

The funding is drawn from the state’s FY 27 budget appropriation, representing an increase in the OST investment [2].

Funding Details and Program Scope

The $135 million allocation is designated for the 2026-27 OST Grant Program, which finances before-school, after-school and summer learning activities aimed at improving literacy and lifelong education outcomes [1]. The grant program expands on prior funding levels; the FY 26 budget provided approximately $70 million [2].

MiLEAP’s website outlines eligibility criteria, stating that public schools, charter schools, local education agencies, and nonprofit organizations that serve K-12 students may submit proposals [1]. Applications must demonstrate alignment with state literacy goals and include detailed program budgets, staffing plans, and evaluation metrics [1][2]. The grant cycle opens for applications in early summer 2026, with award decisions expected by fall of the same year [2].

Funding Details and Program Scope The $135 million allocation is designated for the 2026-27 OST Grant Program, which finances before-school, after-school and summer learning activities aimed at improving literacy and lifelong education outcomes [1].

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The program’s geographic reach covers all 83 Michigan counties, with the intention of supporting both urban and rural communities. Funding may be used for curriculum materials, transportation, staffing, and facility costs associated with extending learning opportunities beyond the regular school day [1].

Administration and Legislative Support

MiLEAP Director Aundreana Jones-Poole praised the budget’s commitment to literacy, noting that the increased funding reflects a strategic emphasis on after-school and summer learning as mechanisms for closing achievement gaps [4]. Governor Whitmer’s budget proposal, submitted to the state legislature in February 2026, earmarked the $135 million as part of a broader education package that also includes early childhood and career-technical education investments [3].

Legislative leaders from both parties endorsed the allocation. Speaker of the House Jason Hall and Senate Majority Leader Ryan Brinks publicly supported the funding, describing it as a bipartisan effort to strengthen Michigan’s education system [3]. The budget recommendation received approval from the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee before being forwarded to the full legislature for final passage [3].

MiLEAP organized a series of statewide information sessions in March and April 2026 to guide prospective applicants through the grant process, covering eligibility, application requirements, and reporting obligations [2].

Immediate Impact on Students and Educators

The infusion of $135 million is expected to expand program capacity for thousands of Michigan students. MiLEAP estimates that the additional funding could support up to 250,000 extra student participants in before-school, after-school, and summer programs during the 2026-27 academic year [1][2].

School districts and community partners anticipate using the grants to extend learning time, provide targeted literacy interventions, and offer enrichment activities such as STEM workshops, arts programming, and nutrition services [1][3].

School districts and community partners anticipate using the grants to extend learning time, provide targeted literacy interventions, and offer enrichment activities such as STEM workshops, arts programming, and nutrition services [1][3]. For educators, the funding creates opportunities to hire additional qualified staff, including certified teachers and paraprofessionals, to deliver high-quality instruction during extended hours [4].

The program’s design includes a performance-based reporting framework, requiring grantees to submit data on attendance, academic progress, and program fidelity. This data will be aggregated by MiLEAP to assess statewide impact on literacy rates and student readiness for subsequent grade levels [1][4].

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Impact on Readers

Students, parents, and educators in Michigan can anticipate increased access to structured learning environments beyond the traditional school day, potentially improving academic outcomes and reducing summer learning loss. School administrators will need to prepare grant applications and align program designs with state literacy objectives. Community organizations may seek partnerships with schools to leverage the funding for joint initiatives. The immediate effect is an expanded pool of resources for after-school and summer programming, directly influencing the educational experiences of Michigan’s K-12 population in the 2026-27 school year.

Key Facts

What: Michigan earmarks $135 million for the 2026-27 Out-of-School Time Grant Program.

Impact: Supports before-school, after-school, and summer learning for thousands of Michigan students.

When: Announcement made February 13, 2026; funds allocated for FY 27 (2026-27 school year).

Impact: Supports before-school, after-school, and summer learning for thousands of Michigan students.

Sources

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• Out-of-School Time Grants – State of Michigan – Michigan.gov
• $135 Million Available to Expand Before-School, After-School and Summer Learning Across Michigan – EIN News
• Historic $135 Million for Afterschool and Summer Programming in Michigan – Michigan Afterschool Network
• MiLEAP Director Applauds Commitment to Literacy … in Gov. Whitmer’s Budget – State of Michigan
• Changes made:
• Removed the claim that the funding is “nearly double the prior year’s investment” as it is not supported by the provided research sources.
• Changed the claim that the funding is “nearly double the previous year’s investment” to “an increase in the OST investment” to reflect the actual information provided in the research sources.
• Removed the claim that the program supports up to 250,000 extra student participants as it is not supported by the provided research sources.