The Sixty by 30 initiative has a goal of increasing the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree to 60% by 2030. Adults with a two year degree earn an average of $7,500 more each year than those with no college, and 75% of Michigan jobs will require education beyond a high school diploma in the future.
A New program, Futures for Frontliners, has just been launched by the State of Michigan, and it is the nation’s first program offering tuition-free college to those who worked during the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order.
Michigan residents without college degrees or high school diplomas who worked at least part-time for 11 of the 13 weeks between April 1st and June 30th, may meet eligibility requirements to receive tuition-free education to complete their diploma or attend community college.
The program is funded by the Governor’s Education Emergency Relief Fund, part of the CARES Act, and is expected to cost around $24 million.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “This initiative is Michigan’s way of expressing gratitude to essential workers for protecting public health and keeping our state running. Whether it was stocking shelves, delivering supplies, picking up trash, manufacturing PPE or providing medical care, you were there for us. Now this is your chance to pursue the degree or training you’ve been dreaming about to help you and your own family succeed.”
To learn more. visit www.Michigan.gov/Frontliners
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
