The Detroit News
Oct. 11, 2022
Kim Kozlowski
Southfield — Michigan high school graduates could cover the majority of college costs with a $250 million state-funded scholarship hailed as the biggest state investment in financial aid in decades and a “game changer.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed bipartisan legislation establishing the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which would lower tuition costs by up to $5,500 every year, up to five years, for students attending public, private, tribal and community colleges.
The scholarship is expected to become available for the high school graduating class of 2023 and thereafter. Eligible students will be those who come from families with an expected family contribution of $25,000 or less.
About 75% of students are expected to be eligible.
Photo courtesy of the State of Michigan.
“I am proud to sign a bipartisan bill to establish the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and lower the cost of college for the vast majority of Michiganders,” said Whitmer.
At a gathering of state higher education leaders at Lawrence Technological University, many applauded Whitmer’s signing of the bill.
“We’re really thrilled that Michigan is moving from a laggard in supporting students in financial aid to becoming a leading state in making college more affordable,” said Greg Handel, Detroit Regional Chamber vice president of education and talent. “This will put us in the top 10 states in terms of state-based financial aid for students.”
Daniel Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities, said it’s the biggest investment the state has made in college financial aid this century, and several decades.
“It’s going to have a very meaningful impact on reducing costs at all the state,” said Hurley. “It’s a large-dollar scholarship that is going to affect students well into the middle class and is going to improve college affordability.”
“The word that has been echoing throughout the day today is ‘game changer’ and it is exactly that,” Hurley said.