ActiveAtlas Opportunity Score 96/100
Michigan Section 31ff SMART — School Mental Health Internship Stipends
Michigan's Section 31ff SMART program remains open through June 30, 2027 or until funds are exhausted, supporting qualifying graduate interns in school psychology, school social work and school counseling at eligible Michigan schools.
FundingThe live MDE page does not publish the remaining statewide balance or a universal per-applicant ceiling. MDE award packets show the program has been making incremental allocations to districts, ISDs and universities, and the current grant remains open until June 30, 2027 or until all funds are awarded.
DeadlineRolling through June 30, 2027, or until all funds are awarded.
Last verifiedSeptember 29, 2026
Required next actionConfirm that the proposed graduate interns are first- or second-year students in school psychology, school social work or school counseling and will complete qualifying internships in Michigan ISDs or LEAs. Verify that the placement school meets the economic-disadvantage or prior Section 22d condition, prepare the NexSys application or amendment for additional eligible interns, and apply promptly because the program may close early if funds are fully awarded.
Broad Eligibility
The SMART program supports first- and second-year graduate students in school psychology, school social work and school counseling who are completing internships in Michigan intermediate school districts and local education agencies, including traditional public school districts and public school academies. MDE also states that eligible placements must be in schools where at least 50% of students are economically disadvantaged or that received Section 22d funding in the prior fiscal year. Prior award packets include both school systems and universities.
Atlas Analysis
Michigan school mental-health workforce grant supporting stipends for first- and second-year graduate students in school psychology, school social work, and school counseling who complete qualifying internships in Michigan intermediate school districts, local education agencies, or public school academies. The grant remains open through June 30, 2027 or until all funds are awarded. Previous recipients may amend an existing application to add eligible students.
Opportunity Overview
Michigan’s Section 31ff SMART program supports first- and second-year graduate students in school psychology, school social work and school counseling who complete qualifying internships in Michigan schools. The program is a direct school mental-health workforce pipeline investment.
Application Window
The Michigan Department of Education lists the application period as November 10, 2025 through June 30, 2027. The grant remains open until June 30, 2027 or until all funds are awarded, so schools and universities should not wait for the final date.
Current Funding Status
MDE’s July 31, 2026 amended award list shows $2,416,000 in updated Section 31ff SMART allocations across 25 agencies. The amendment added $686,250 to the previously listed $1,729,750. Because MDE states the grant remains open until June 30, 2027 or until all funds are awarded, these published allocations confirm active funding activity but do not establish the amount of funding that remains available for new applications or amendments.
Eligible Placements
Interns must serve in Michigan intermediate school districts or local education agencies, including traditional public school districts and public school academies. MDE states that student interns must be placed in schools where at least 50% of students are economically disadvantaged or that received Section 22d funding in the prior fiscal year.
Who Can Use the Program
The program supports graduate students in school psychology, school social work and school counseling. Prior MDE awardee lists include both school systems and universities, and existing recipients may submit amendments for additional eligible students.
Atlas Strategic Analysis
This is one of Michigan’s most useful long-horizon school mental-health workforce opportunities because it can help districts expand counseling, social-work and psychology capacity without waiting for a new annual competition. It is workforce funding rather than clinical-technology funding, so N9+ should not be inserted into the grant request unless a separate eligible funding source supports the clinical workflow.
Next Steps
Identify eligible graduate interns and qualifying placement schools, verify the economic-disadvantage or Section 22d requirement, review the current NexSys application, and submit promptly while funds remain. Existing awardees should evaluate whether an amendment can support additional eligible interns.
Verified sources: Michigan Department of Education Section 31ff SMART and the July 31, 2026 amended award list.
From Funding to Implementation · School Health Solution
Turn school-health funding into a clinically capable care model.
Dr. Miltie N9+ can support clinician-directed remote exams in school settings, helping care teams move beyond video-only encounters when a funded program calls for stronger pediatric access.
Source verificationOfficial government source · www.michigan.govAtlas last verified this record September 29, 2026. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
