Dear Neighbor, It is my honor to serve as your State Senator and represent the interests of Kalamazoo County and Antwerp Township in the Michigan Legislature. I continue to have the privilege to serve as both the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Universities and Community Colleges as well as the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where I have worked hard to bolster K-12 and higher education funding.
Michigan is home to many excellent universities, community colleges, and skill certificate programs. Whether you have recently graduated from high school or are seeking to improve your skills in a specific field, I hope that this newsletter offers valuable information about the abundant educational opportunities available within our state.
As always, if I can be of assistance to you at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by email at SenSMcCann@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at (517) 373-5100. Visit SenSeanMcCann.com to stay updated on my legislation and events.
Working for you,
Sean McCann
State Senator, District 19
SenSeanMcCann.com
I am proud to have worked with Governor Whitmer and my colleagues in the Michigan Legislature to expand opportunities for higher education in our great state. Our goal: Increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 51.8% to 60% by 2030.
Our “60 by 30” plan seeks to build a better Michigan in three ways:
- Close the skills gap that poses the single greatest threat to the success of our businesses and our state’s prosperity. Jobs requiring skilled employees today, as well as jobs on the horizon, increasingly demand greater education and training. More than ever before, the best jobs require more than a high school diploma.
- Increase opportunity by giving Michigan residents greater access to the education and skills that create opportunities for better jobs and bigger paychecks.
- Make Michigan more competitive for inclusive economic growth.
By prioritizing Michigan students and supporting their ability to grow in their skillsets and higher education journey, we can move Michigan forward — fueling the workforce, boosting incomes, and ensuring all have the opportunity to succeed.
Looking to Advance your Education? Michigan has got your back!
Championing Higher Education Investments in the Michigan Legislature
In the 2025 state budget, my work as the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Universities and Community Colleges was instrumental in securing $330 million for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, a bipartisan scholarship program that helps lower the cost of community, private, or public college by thousands of dollars a year for most graduating seniors statewide.
I’m also proud to have helped champion the Community College Guarantee, a new program offering free community college to all Michigan high school graduates by helping cover tuition costs while they work toward an associate degree or skilled certificate at a state-based community college. Read on to learn more about these opportunities.
Vice Chair McCann and Chair Anthony serving on the Appopriations Committee
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship helps recent high school graduates in our state access funds for continuing education. Eligible students could receive financial aid to attend a college or university or a career training program with the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship. Find the path that’s right for you!
Community College Guarantee
If you’re interested in earning a skill certificate, associate degree, or starting at a community college and transferring to a university, then the Community College Guarantee could be a great fit for you.
- Provided through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, the Community College Guarantee helps recent high school graduates earn a skills certificate or associate degree at their local community college tuition-free!
- All recent Michigan high school graduates are eligible, regardless of family income.
- If you receive the federal Pell grant, you’re eligible for a $1,000 bonus to help pay for living expenses like books, transportation, and rent.
Public or Private University
Interested in earning a bachelor’s degree? Then be sure to check out the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Those who qualify could receive up to $27,500 to attend a Michigan public university, private college or university, or enroll in a four-year degree program at a Michigan community college. That’s up to $5,500 per year for up to five years!
Career Training
If you’re seeking to develop your skills in a career training program, then the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship might be what you’re looking for. Those who qualify could receive up to $2,000 per year for up to two years to earn an industry-recognized certificate for a faster track to a high-paying career.
An education beyond high school unlocks many opportunities and Michigan Reconnect can help get you there. Michigan Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for you to attend your in-district community college tuition-free or offers a large tuition discount if you attend an out-of-district community college. To be eligible, you must:
- Be at least 25 years old when you apply
- Have lived in Michigan for a year or more
- Have a high school diploma, high school equivalency (GED), or certificate of completion
- Have not yet completed a college degree
(associate or bachelor’s)
Additional Student Aid Opportunities
The MI Future Educator Stipend provides $9,600 to our future educators who are participating in their required student teaching semester. Students must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to be eligible.
The MI Future Educator Fellowship offers a $10,000 scholarship to up to 2,500 future educators every year who are admitted and enrolled in an EPP approved by the Michigan Dept. of Education.
The Fostering Futures Scholarship provides scholarships to students who have experienced foster care in Michiganon or after the age of 13. Students must also demonstrate financial need to qualify.
To learn more about these opportunities and other assistance programs, including program eligibility and how to apply, visit michigan.gov/mistudentaid/programs.
“Ticket to Tuition” FAFSA Sweepstakes
As part of the 2025 state budget negotiations, I advocated for an incentive program to encourage more students to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so they could access the extensive student aid opportunities Michigan has to offer. Earlier this year, by simply completing their application for the first time, students were automatically entered into a “Ticket to Tuition” FAFSA sweepstakes drawing. On May 21, 2025, 10 students won $50,000 and 40 students won $10,000. Set aside in a Michigan Education Savings Program account, this money will help these 50 students pay for tuition at a community college, university or career training program, as well as for room and board, books and more!
College and skills training are keys to economic prosperity, which is why state financial aid opportunities such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Community College Guarantee are vital to Michigan families. It is critical that we do all we can to encourage students to complete the FAFSA so they can make informed decisions about their academic careers and future. As part of larger efforts I spearheaded at the Capitol to lower the cost of college and expand access to higher education statewide, I’m proud to have helped secure the $1 million that made “Ticket to Tuition” a reality
Find the path that’s right for you.
Fill out the FAFSA application at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa or by scanning the QR code above.
Do you have any questions about paying for college in Michigan?
Contact the MI Student Aid Customer Care Center (888-447-2687) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
