When Molly Johnson’s college tuition bill arrives and she begins to filter through and look at the total cost, a feeling of relief will come over her because she can subtract $4,000 from the total bill.

Luckily, Johnson is not the only graduating senior that is able to instantly reduce their upcoming tuition bill by thousands. How is it that so many Michigan high school students are receiving free money for college? The answer is plain and simple: The MME.

Unlike the MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) which tested students multiple times throughout their academic career, the MME (Michigan Merit Examination) is a one time only exam.

First put to use in 2007, all students in the state of Michigan must take the MME in March of their junior year. The MME includes the ACT, WorkKeys job skills assessments, which include reading and math, and State of Michigan assessments in math, science, social studies, and persuasive writing.