State Awards $10 Million in Mentoring Grants

More than 200 Michigan school districts and education agencies will receive funding to support new educator mentoring.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Financial Aid

Bold flat-color vector editorial illustration of two wooden school chairs of different heights side by side in an empty classroom corner, suggesting educator mentoring. — Michigan’s Department of Education awarded nearly $10 million in mentoring grants to more than 200 school districts and education agencies to help retain new educators. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think your local schools are doing enough to keep good teachers?

The Michigan Department of Education awarded nearly $10 million in mentoring grants to more than 200 statewide school districts and education agencies. The grants are authorized under Section 27h of the fiscal year 2025 State School Aid Act.

Why it matters

The grants aim to improve staff retention in Michigan schools by connecting new educators with experienced mentors. The funding is designed to help districts keep qualified teachers and leaders in the profession.

Nearly $8.5 million went to 199 intermediate districts and local education agencies, while $1.5 million went to 118 districts for administrator mentoring services, out of a nearly $10 million total. The extraction does not indicate how recipients will spend the funds or whether retention improves.

The players

Michigan Department of Education

The state agency responsible for public K-12 education policy, funding administration, and oversight in Michigan.

The details

Districts can use the funds for mentor stipends, mentor training, professional learning materials, resources, and onboarding staffing costs, or contract with approved providers for administrator mentoring. Northern Michigan recipients include Alcona Community Schools, Alpena Public Schools, and Benzie Central Schools, along with Cadillac Area Public Schools and Crawford AuSable School District.

Fiscal year 2025: State School Aid Act authorizes the mentoring grants under Section 27h.
November 9, 2026: The Michigan Department of Education announces the grant awards.

Season Trajectory

The mentoring grants are authorized under Section 27h of the fiscal year 2025 State School Aid Act, placing this award within the state's annual school aid appropriations cycle. The funding extends that act's provisions by directing money to district-level mentoring programs for new educators.

Michigan school districts receiving mentor funding can use it for stipends, training, and onboarding staff costs. Administrators in districts awarded the $1.5 million may contract with approved providers for mentoring services.

The takeaway

Mentoring funds give districts a concrete tool to retain new teachers and leaders during early career years. Educators and families can watch whether the grants translate into stronger staff retention across Michigan schools.