The bipartisan Fiscal Year 2023 Michigan state budget includes $55 million to continue the Michigan Reconnect program. The program pays community college tuition for Michigan residents aged 25 or older who have never earned a degree. Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist spoke at Grand Rapids Community College this week and said more than 100,000 people have applied to take advantage of the opportunity.
“We know that post-high school, post-secondary education experiences and training are critical to not only the future of the individual who experienced them, but they’re critical to the future of Michigan communities and our economy,” Gilchrist said.
Gilchrist also highlighted $6 million in grant funding to help defray other costs that often keep adult learners from returning to college or enrolling for the first time through the Michigan Reconnect or Futures for Frontliners programs. Both programs are part of the 60 by 30 goal.
“The 60 by 30 goal means that we set a goal of 60% of Michigan adults to have a degree, professional training certification, or some other credential by the year 2030.”
Futures for Frontliners is a scholarship program for those who continued working in public when the COVID pandemic began. Looking at the local effects of Michigan Reconnect, for the 2021-2022 school year, Lake Michigan College had 245 Reconnect students. Anyone interested in pursing an associate degree or certificate through Michigan Reconnect can just contact their local community college.
