LANSING – State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) today praised the signing of the Michigan Promise Grant into law. The award grants Michigan students $4,000, up from the current $2,500, after completing two years of community college, university or vocational training. Students would be required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 to receive the award.
"The Michigan Promise Grant will throw open the doors of higher education to all of our students in northern Michigan," Sheltrown said. "Michigan will need a highly educated workforce to attract more businesses to our state and to help get our economy back on track. By awarding hard-working students more money, the Promise Grant will help our young people prepare for the good-paying jobs of the future."
Lawmakers fought hard for years to strengthen the Merit Scholarship, which will now be known as the Michigan Promise Grant. In an April 2004 report, The Brookings Institution warned that America will not be able to hold on to the highest-paying jobs in the world if the number of college graduates with degrees in physical sciences, math and engineering continues on a downward trend.
The graduating class of 2007 will be the first group eligible for the Michigan Promise Grant. The grant will not prevent students from receiving other federal or state awards.
"No student should be denied access to higher education because of money," Sheltrown said. "As the cost of college increases, our students will need all the help they can get. Giving more students access to college is the best way to ensure that they will be prepared to lead Michigan into the 21st century. This is a win-win for our students and for Michigan's future."