LANSING, Mich. (Aug. 22, 2024) — As Michigan kids and their families prepare to head back to school these next few weeks, they continue to have the support of the Michigan Senate Democratic Majority from preschool to college. Building on the historic investments in education last year, that momentum continued in the 2025 state budget. Prioritizing equity, innovation, and transformational investments, Senate Democrats are ensuring a brighter future for all students, families, and educators across the state.
The 2025 state budget continues to direct money to Michigan’s earliest learners, with an $85 million increase — for a total of $628.3 million — for the Great Start Readiness Program to expand free preschool for four-year-olds. The budget increased the eligibility threshold to 400% of the federal poverty level (under $120,000 annually for a family of four) to offer free preschool for more kids and families, supporting early learning while reducing child care or preschool costs for families. The budget also included $25 million for continued classroom startup grants for the creation of new preschool providers and classrooms to ensure more preschool slots are available in lieu of child care for kids and parents.
“As someone who has spent time with Michigan students in the classroom as a teacher, I have seen how critical it is for every student to have access to quality education, resources and the support they need to thrive, no matter where they come from,” said Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton). “This budget goes beyond just dollars and cents — it’s about providing the tools and opportunities our kids need to succeed. By boosting school funding, expanding access to free meals, and ensuring more families can benefit from early education, we’re laying the groundwork for a stronger, more equitable future for all Michigan children.”
Continuing last year’s significant investment in Michigan’s students, schools, and teachers, on average, the 2025 budget provides nearly $600 million going into classrooms, which is the equivalent of approximately a $400 per-student increase statewide. The budget also builds on the success of the universal free school meals program implemented last year, providing another year of free breakfast and lunch for all public school students — and in turn, saving Michigan families approximately $850 a year on food costs. Last school year, the program provided over 76.3 million breakfasts and 135.6 million lunches.
Upholding Michigan Democrats’ ongoing efforts to improve equity in school funding, the budget also provides more funding and resources for the students and schools that need it the most. This includes an increase of $369 million for weighted funding elements, such as Small, Isolated Districts, At-Risk students, Bilingual Education, Special Education, Great Start, Early On and Career and Technical Education. This marks the first time the state has invested more than $1 billion in At-Risk funding.
Through the 2025 budget, Senate Democrats are building up Michigan’s students and workers, enabling them to build up their skills and a better life through significant scholarships for a higher education, free community college for all and targeted training and work supports. The budget included $330 million total for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, a bipartisan scholarship established to lower the cost of community, private, or public college by thousands of dollars a year — up to $27,500 over five years — for most graduating seniors. This included expanding access to free community college for all students in every part of the state with the Community College Guarantee. The budget also included $52 million total in continued support for the bipartisan and highly successful Michigan Reconnect scholarships, enabling workers to go back to school to pursue a degree or a skilled trade certification.
“Our commitment to building a brighter future for Michigan starts with ensuring that our teachers and students have the support they need,” said Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo). “By investing in teacher loan stipends, scholarships for higher education, and the Michigan Reconnect program, we’re creating opportunities that will positively impact lives for generations. We’re showing that Michigan is not just keeping pace but leading the way in education by fostering growth from the earliest years through to higher education and beyond.”
Since Democrats took control of the Michigan Senate and put former educators in charge of the state’s education policy and budget committees, teachers and their needs are also an ongoing priority. Recognizing the important role of teachers in our kids’ education and supporting them accordingly, the 2025 state budget also included a $25 million investment in the Student Loan Repayment Program for our teachers that was established last year, helping more of them stay in the classroom and attracting new teachers to the profession.
While these investment highlights focus on the impact on students and classrooms now, Senate Democrats also recognize that positive child development and learning begin at birth. The 2025 state budget also made major investments in maternal and infant health to improve birth outcomes. Major funding was also included in the budget to continue to lower child care costs and support child care workers to ensure parents are able to work and afford quality care while knowing their children are in a safe and enriching environment.
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