Students could be left scrambling after Michigan Tuition Grant axed in state budget mess
Posted Thursday, October 03, 2019
The budget mess in Lansing has left thousands of students scrambling to cover tuition costs after a need-based education grant was eliminated as part of the Governor’s vetoes this week.
The Michigan Tuition grant is a need-based tuition grant that was already awarded and expected by nearly 17,000 students at Michigan’s independent colleges and universities for the current school year. The 2018-2019 grant amount was $2,400 per full-time student.
The grant was included in Governor Whitmer’s budget recommendation in March but was vetoed in the budget sent to her by the Michigan Legislature.
“It’s unfortunate that a grant afforded directly to students in need has been targeted as a result of Lansing’s budget battle,” Frank Hribar, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs at Adrian College said. “The Michigan Tuition Grant helps ease the burden for college students in-need and is awarded directly to each student. We hope this grant can be restored in Lansing so students aren’t held back.”
Students who receive the tuition grant make up approximately 30 percent of all students receiving need-based financial aid from the State of Michigan. The funding was helping more than 6,000 first generation college students and more than 200 veterans, and 5,646 recipients were above the age of 25.
“Michigan desperately needs a highly educated work force. Our economy and future depend on educated young adults remaining in our state after college. This unfortunate decision severely impairs our most vulnerable students. We hope that the Governor and the State legislature can work together quickly to resolve this unnecessary impasse.” Jeffrey R. Docking, President, Adrian College said.
“Eliminating this funding will drastically impact need-based students’ ability to pursue higher education, putting their futures at risk,” Robert Lefevre, president of Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities said. “Lansing’s budget mess is hurting Michigan students and this issue must be fixed before even one student gives up on their future.”
The tuition grant saves an average of $10,400 in loan interest per student, which is spent in the economy instead of on paying loans. Elimination of this grant could reduce the number of individuals with bachelor’s degrees in the state by up to 12,000 per year. Over a decade, this could result in 120,000 fewer individuals with bachelor’s degrees in Michigan.
