When Michigan rolled out the Michigan Reconnect Program just two weeks ago, there were predictions that the free-tuition scholarship program for in-district community colleges and deep discounts for out-of-district students would be substantial, but even the state might not have foreseen the groundswell in just the first two weeks since the roll-out.
In the two weeks since launch, more than 40,000 Michigan residents have submitted applications to take advantage of the Michigan Reconnect Program on their path to pursuing an associate degree or skills certificate though their local, in-district community college.
The new bipartisan initiative – introduced in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s first state of the state address – is a key tool to ensure 60-percent of Michigan citizens have a degree or post-secondary credential by 2030 to ultimately build a better Michigan. It is also the state’s largest effort in history to ensure residents aged 25 or older without a college degree have an opportunity to earn an associates degree or skills certificate.
Michigan Reconnect will also help address the dual challenges of the state’s widening talent gap and aging workforce. Michigan employers’ ability to find highly skilled and capable employees is more difficult than ever and is cited as a top concern in the most recent Michigan Future Business Index Report.
Susan Corbin, acting director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, says, “Michigan Reconnect isn’t just smart for our state’s economy, it’s the right way to create pathways for Michigan workers – pathways to hope, pathways to equity and pathways to stronger families and communities.”
Initially, the state also offered up to $1.5 million in skills scholarships at private training schools. Less than 18 hours after applications opened on February 2nd, more than 1,700 people applied for those dollars and the private training portion of the program had to be closed.
Corbin adds, “The good news is that many community colleges offer skills certificates for high-demand careers in industries such as manufacturing, construction, information technology, healthcare or business management,” and notes, “Michiganders interested in a professional trades career can still take advantage of Michigan Reconnect by pursuing credentials through their community college.”
If students attend college in the district where they live, tuition is free. If they attend a college in a district where they don’t live, Reconnect pays the in-district part of the tuition and the student will only need to pay the remaining balance.
To be eligible for Michigan Reconnect, you must:
- Be at least 25 years old when you apply
- Have lived in Michigan for a year or more
- Have a high school diploma
- Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s)
To discuss how Michigan Reconnect will help adults connect to high-demand careers – and how residents can take advantage of the opportunity, LEO is hosting a series of regional virtual news conferences through March featuring state lawmakers and workforce development, business and education partners:
- Northern Michigan/Upper Peninsula – Monday, February 22nd, 10:30-11 am
- Flint/Saginaw/Bay City/Midland – Monday, March 1st, 10:30-11 am
- West Michigan – Monday, March 15th, 10:30-11 am
- Detroit/Southeast Michigan – Monday, March 30th, 10:30-11 am
Eligible residents can learn more and apply for Michigan Reconnect at: http://michigan.gov/Reconnect
