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If you give people an affordable option to earn a skill certificate or college degree chances are they will take it, evidenced by the number of students taking advantage of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship (MAS).
“In Michigan we are delivering on our promise to make college and career training more accessible and affordable because every student deserves a fair shot at a great-paying job,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said, in a news release. “This year alone, nearly 60,000 students are saving thousands on tuition thanks to the MAS.
Michiganders in all 83 counties are able to utilize the MAS program to earn a skill certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree at reduced or no-cost-tuition, saving an average of $4,200 per year.
According to the latest state data this spring the number of students receiving the MAC included:
• 18,226 students attending a community college
• 7,009 students attending private colleges
• 34,371 students enrolled in a public university
Among the thousands of students taking advantage of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship: Community College Guarantee (covering tuition and fees only) are students attending programs at Macomb Community College.
The number of students enrolled at MCC who are being funded through the program included:
• Fall 2024 semester: 2,599 students (out of 15,954 students)
• Winter 2025 semester: 2,380 students (out of 15,802 students)
Michigan Achievement Scholarship Bonus Award ($1,000 award for students eligible for Community College Guarantee who are receiving federal Pell grant) can be used for books, transportation, living expenses. The number of students enrolled at MCC using this funding included:
• Fall 2024 semester: 821
• Winter 2025 semester: 448
While this has added to the school’s enrollment, Macomb Community College President James Sawyer IV said the importance of the Community College Guarantee isn’t about the impact on the college’s enrollment.
“It is about empowering a greater number of our residents to take that step into higher education that will transform their livelihoods, their lives and their futures,” Sawyer said, in a statement from MCC. “While this should ultimately result in increased enrollment, the greatest value is fostering a college-going culture that is essential to both our residents’ personal prosperity and our community’s economic vitality.”
Beverly Walker-Griffea concurred.
“We are pleased to see tens of thousands of students across our state taking the next step in their education journeys without the financial burden that often stands in the way,” said the director of MiLEAP. “The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is making a significant impact not just for students but for families and communities across the state.”
Students attending a community college can enroll in programs that lead to in-demand, high-wage jobs such as dental hygienists, electricians, physical therapist assistants and other career fields.
They can also take courses that help them to transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree, which is important as the demand for four-year degrees also continues to grow.
According to educators at Oakland University, 35 of the hot 50 high-demand wage jobs projected in 2032 require a four-year degree including careers in accounting, registered nursing, engineering and social work.
As of today at least 61% of the FTIAC (First Time In Any College) students received MAS.
Other students included:
• For 2023/24: 1330 students received MAS (award paid). This would have been one cohort (class of 2023) of students
• For 2024/25: 2579 students received MAS. This would be two cohorts of students (Class of 2023 and 2024)
Wayne State University students have also taken advantage of the MAS.
“The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is truly transformative for Wayne State students,” said Kimberly Andew Espy, president of WSU. “So far, it has reduced costs by an average of $5,200 for nearly 4,000 of our students, easing financial burdens and expanding access to higher education.
“This support empowers more students to pursue their degrees, strengthens Michigan’s workforce, and ultimately helps reshape their futures in profound and lasting ways,” she added.
Since it was introduced Michiganders have saved $252.3 million on tuition costs.
“These scholarships put real money back in families’ pockets while putting students on track to get skills they need to build their futures and strengthen our talent pipeline so businesses can grow and thrive,” Whitmer said.
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