On August 31st, during an event at Mott Community College, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist touted the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2023 budget’s inclusion of $55 million to fully fund the Michigan Reconnect program. He also encouraged working-age Michiganders to join the more than 100,000 people who have taken the first step towards earning a college degree or skills certificate through the Michigan Reconnect program in the last 18 months.
The Michigan Reconnect program, which provides free or reduced community college tuition for students 25 and older who have not yet earned a degree, was launched in February 2021.
The event’s aim was to highlight how programs such as Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners are creating a rewarding path to in-demand careers for Michiganders and to encourage more participation in the Michigan Reconnect program.
Lt. Governor Gilchrist also highlighted $6 million in grant funding now available to help cover other costs that often keep adult learners from returning to college or enrolling for the first time.
The new grants, which will be distributed by the state’s community and tribal colleges, can be used for books, childcare, internet access and transportation to help students pursue associate degrees or skills certificates.
To be eligible for the grants, students must:
- Be Michigan Reconnect or Futures for Frontliners scholarship participants
- Have completed at least one semester within the respective scholarship program they are participating in
- Be enrolled already, or be in the process of enrolling, for a qualifying semester
More information is available at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.
Reporting for WGRT – George James
