More Than 40,000 Michiganders Apply for Free Community College

More than 40,000 people have taken advantage of the Michigan Reconnect program announced two weeks ago and have applied for a tuition-free community college education.

According to ABC 12, The statewide program offers scholarships providing a free associate’s degree or career skills certificate through all of the state’s community colleges.

The whole point of this program is to help close the state's talent gap and aging workforce and get at least 60% of people to have a degree or post-secondary credential by 2030. Like always, not everyone in Michigan agrees with the idea of free tuition but those wanting an education, are all about it.

Susan Corbin, acting director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity:

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.

The good news is that many community colleges offer skills certificates for high-demand careers in industries such as manufacturing, construction, information technology, health care or business management. Michiganders interested in a professional trades career can still take advantage of Michigan Reconnect by pursuing credentials through their community college.

If students want to attend a college in the district they live in, tuition is totally free. If it's in a college district they don't live in, Michigan Reconnect pays the in-district part of the tuition and students will have to pay the remaining balance. The smartest (free) choice is obvious.

To be eligible for Michigan Reconnect, you must: