If you've always wanted to get a college degree, but life just got in the way or money was too tight... there may be some good news for you.
More than 4.1 million working-age Michiganders are eligible for the Michigan Reconnect Program, which offers tuition-free certificate and degree opportunities at 27 community and tribal colleges across Michigan. And here's the latest news — the eligibility age is also about to expand.
One of the people taking advantage of the program is Sarah Sparks of Flat Rock. She had been working as an EMT for 17 years but had always wanted to become a nurse.
"I got married. My kids, I had my all three of my kids. They came first. So, I had to put all my dreams and my hopes on hold," she told me.
In 2021, at the age of 33, she found out about the Michigan Reconnect Program, which pays the cost of in-district tuition at a Michigan community college or tribal college.
She said the program helped pay for $6,000 to $8,000 worth of tuition over her last three years and covered anything her financial aid didn't cover.
To be eligible for Michigan Reconnect, you must:
- have lived in Michigan for a year or more
- have a high school diploma or equivalent
- have not yet completed a college degree – associate's or bachelor's
- be at least 25 years old when you apply
However, as far as the minimum age is concerned, that will soon be changing.
In the most recent budget signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the eligibility age to apply for the program expanded to Michiganders who are 21-24 years of age. The Sixty by 30 Office which oversees the program expects residents to take advantage of the eligibility expansion sometime this fall.
Sarah Szurpicki, the Director of Sixty by 30, said 123,000 people have applied and been accepted into the program, and over 27,000 people enrolled and are taking classes in community colleges.
"Most of [the applicants] are working. They're balancing family and childcare responsibilities. So, it takes a little bit longer for them to sort of actually put the rest of the pieces of their life sort of together in a way that allows them to pursue their education," Szurpicki explained.
So far, Szurpicki said at least 2,800 people who enrolled in school through the Michigan Reconnect program have already earned a degree or certification since the program launched in 2021.
GOING BACK TO SCHOOL
Medina Dizdarevic of Clinton Township was 27 when she applied. The single mom lives with her 6-year-old and takes classes online at Wayne County Community College District.
"I was in the middle of a divorce, and my parents always told me push forward, like, you should have gotten your degree," Dizdarevic said.
Now, she's working on an Associate's Degree in Business Administration.
"Would you have gotten this degree if it weren't for Michigan Reconnect?" I asked her.
"I don't think I would've went back to school," she said.
QUICK APPLICATION PROCESS
Michael Wilson of Taylor recalled it was just four days before the fall semester last year when he applied online for Michigan Reconnect. He found out he was approved for the tuition-free program about 20 minutes later.
"How big a factor was the tuition-free component of this program for you?" I asked him.
"Oh, it was humongous. I've watched friends just pile on, pile on the debt of student loans. And I've never seen them ever pay off their student loans even now," Wilson explains.
He's been working full-time and taking online courses at WCCCD. Wilson is on track to earn his Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration in May of 2024.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERS
I asked Brian Singleton — the Vice Chancellor of Student Services at Wayne County Community College District — if he thinks the Michigan Reconnect program will boost enrollment.
"I think so," Singleton replied. "It brings some of the students off the sidelines and and into the game."
The additional $70 million approved in this year's state budget will expand the free tuition to an additional 350,000 Michigan adults. It's the largest effort in state history to ensure working adults in Michigan who don't have a college degree or skills certificate can earn one...tuition-free.
This is part of the state's goal to increase the number of working-age adults with a degree or certificate from 49% to 60% by the year 2030. Progam leaders explain it's all about closing the skills gap, helping people get better jobs and bigger paychecks, and making Michigan more competitive.
RESOURCES TO GET STARTED
If you have questions about the program, there is a network of navigators who can help answer those questions and walk you through the application process. Visit www.michigan.gov/reconnect to find out more or check out the Frequently Asked Questions page here.
You may also check out your local community college's website for additional resources.
