The MHSAA does not charge membership fees for schools; it derives its income from ticket sales at tournament level games and a handful of corporate sponsorships.
It is independent of and not officially recognized by any governmental body, local or state-wide.
Membership is voluntary; no Michigan high school is compelled by law to be a MHSAA member.
As of May 12, 2010, the MHSAA has 767 member high schools, comprising virtually all high school athletics in Michigan, public and private. Only a small number of private schools and a few nontraditional public schools in Michigan forgo MHSAA membership. MHSAA member schools may compete against non-member school in interscholastic athletic competition.