Eligibility for Tuition-Free Education Will Increase to Include All Those 21 and Older Without a Degree
LANSING, Mich. (Jun 23, 2023) – Yesterday, Sens. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) and Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township) introduced two bills, SB 406 and SB 407, to expand the Michigan Reconnect Program — temporarily increasing eligibility from 25 to 21 years of age.
“Michigan Reconnect has already connected thousands of Michiganders with tuition-free higher education and skills training,” said Anthony. “As we continue to attract new investment in our state, expanding Michigan Reconnect and investing in our workers is critical in maintaining our positive economic trajectory.”
Launched in February 2021 and spearheaded by then-Rep. Anthony, Michigan Reconnect is the largest effort in state history to ensure that more than 4.1 million Michiganders who are 25 or older with no college degree can earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate. Since inception, Michigan Reconnect has had over 122,000 applicants.
“Michigan Reconnect has proven to be a critical component of our statewide education and workforce development goals,” said Cavanagh. “By expanding the program, this legislation affords even more Michiganders the opportunity to a quality education, setting our residents and Michigan as a whole on the path to a stronger economic future.”
Michigan Reconnect pays tuition cost for eligible adults that enroll in an associate’s program or a skills certificate program at their local community college. More than 70 private training schools with 120 programs that offer certificates in high-demand professions in sectors like manufacturing, construction, information technology, healthcare or business management are part of the program.
Learn more about the program at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.
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