Enrollment is up, but community college funding is down in Michigan if the governor’s proposed budget is adopted.
A one-time bump in funding for community colleges from last year will no longer be there for next year. The colleges say they need that funding because of rising costs.
Ryan Fewins-Bliss with the Michigan College Access Network testified this week in Lansing.
“If you stop to get gas on your way to this illustrious building this morning, you know gas prices are out of control,” Fewins-Bliss said. “Prices for a lot of things are out of control. We can’t expect our colleges and universities to offer the same education with not more money to pay for those differences that we’re seeing in the economy.”
It’s estimated community colleges need about $388 million from the School Aid Fund. However, the base fund is about $362 million without the increase they’re asking for.
