How Michigan Schools Can Pay for Security Upgrades in 2026–27

Updated November 2026 · 7 minute read

Most Michigan schools do not pay for cameras, door hardware or panic alerts out of the general fund. They combine state school safety money with federal grants. The biggest source, Section 31aa, is not competitive: every eligible school that applies receives funding. Its first application window for 2026–27 closes November 9, 2026.

Section 31aa: Michigan’s school safety and mental health funding

Section 31aa of the State School Aid Act gives schools per-pupil funding in two parts, administered by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). For fiscal year 2027 (the 2026–27 school year), MDE lists these caps:

• Student safety (subsection 3): up to $147.06 per pupil
• Mental health (subsection 2): up to $73.53 per pupil

The final amount per pupil may be lower, depending on how many schools apply. At the full safety cap, a school of 500 students would receive up to about $73,500 for safety alone.

Who can apply

Traditional public districts, public school academies (charters), intermediate school districts and RESAs, and nonpublic schools. Nonpublic schools need an approved NexSys account, registration in SIGMA and a completed Nonpublic School Membership Report.

What the safety funding can pay for

• Safety infrastructure, such as security cameras, door blocks, hardened entry vestibules and firearm detection software
• A comprehensive safety and security assessment
• Coordination with local law enforcement, and threat assessment and crisis communication training
• School resource officers and contracted safety dogs

Spending on emergency infrastructure needs MDE’s approval in advance, so build that step into your timeline. Schools that take safety funding also agree to a comprehensive investigation if a mass casualty event occurs.

2026–27 deadlines

Each school can apply once, in any of four windows. Applications are due at 5 p.m. Eastern.

• November 9, 2026, paid in the December state aid payment
• December 7, 2026, paid in January
• January 4, 2027, paid in February
• April 12, 2027, paid in May

Spending can start October 1, 2026. Funds must be spent by September 30, 2027, though schools can request one more year through the expense report. The expense report is due July 1, 2027.

Federal grants

Two U.S. Department of Justice programs fund school safety each year. They are competitive and pay for different things, so many districts use both.

COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)

This is the federal program for physical security. It pays for locks, lighting, metal detectors and other deterrent measures, technology that quickly notifies police during an emergency, and coordination with local law enforcement.

• Up to $500,000 per award in 2026, with about $73 million available nationwide
• School districts, including public charter districts, can apply directly. Private and independent schools cannot.
• Requires a 25% local cash match. Smaller microgrants of up to $100,000 for rural and low-resourced districts can have the match waived.
• The 2026 deadlines were in August, so plan for summer 2027.

BJA STOP School Violence Program

STOP pays for prevention, not hardware. That includes training for staff and students, anonymous threat reporting apps and hotlines, threat assessment teams and mental health crisis training. It cannot be used for cameras, locks, fencing or security systems.

• Up to $1 million per award for districts, private schools and nonprofits
• The 2026 application closes November 6, 2026 in JustGrants. The Grants.gov step was due October 30.

For private and faith-based schools: the Nonprofit Security Grant Program

Private schools organized as 501(c)(3) nonprofits can also apply for FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which pays up to $200,000 per site for cameras, access control, barriers and more. The next Michigan deadline is expected in early July 2027. See our guide: Nonprofit Security Grant Program in Michigan: How to Prepare for 2027.

How to put it together

1. Start with an assessment. It shows what to fix first, and both state and federal reviewers expect requests tied to real findings.
2. Use Section 31aa for this year’s priorities. It is guaranteed funding, so it suits near-term work such as cameras at entrances, door hardware and panic alerts.
3. Save larger projects for COPS SVPP. Budget for the 25% match and have quotes ready before next summer.
4. Use STOP for training and reporting tools, which keeps hardware dollars for hardware.
5. Keep records as you go. Itemized invoices make expense reports and future applications far easier.

How OMNI Integrations helps

OMNI is a veteran-owned security technology integrator based in Ann Arbor, serving schools across Southeast Michigan. We start with a free on-site security assessment, then provide itemized, vendor-neutral quotes for cameras, access control, panic alerts, vape and air-quality sensors, and weapons detection. Your district can use them for MDE approvals, grant budgets and expense reports. Our free Project PlannerSchool Funding Calculator shows which programs fit your project.

Request a Free Security AssessmentOpen the Project Planner

Sources

• Michigan Department of Education: Section 31aa FY27 FAQ
• COPS Office: FY2026 School Violence Prevention Program notice
• National Center for School Safety: 2026 BJA STOP School Violence funding opportunity

This article is general information, not legal or grant advice. Amounts and dates are from the program notices listed above as of November 2026 and can change. Confirm current requirements with MDE or the granting agency before you apply.