Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II is holding a week-long campaign for Michigan’s Reconnect scholarship in hopes to help more adults enroll in college. More than 27 colleges are holding enrollments event to provide more information on the scholarship.
In accordance with “Reconnect on Campus” Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II lowered the age to apply to 21, making the scholarship more available for adults to afford tuition.
On Wednesday, July 19, Grand Rapids Community College will be holding a Michigan Recconnect Night to help residents learn more about the scholarship and how they could start or restart their education tuition-free.
The event is from 3 to 6 p.m. and will be held in Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall. There will be presentations and instructors who are ready to answer any questions about filling out financial aid forms, registering for classes and other aspects of attending GRCC
“This state financial aid program has been a game changer for people who have longed to attend college, but thought their academic dreams were unattainable due to financial barriers,” stated Ann Isackson, the Associate Dean of Student Success. “Some students receiving Reconnect are also eligible for wraparound grant funding to assist with additional educational expenses such as books and supplies, childcare, and transportation.”
The Michigan Reconnect program is a scholarship that covers in-district tuition for residents 25 and older who do not have a college degree. Students at GRCC have the opportunity to earn credits towards a degree or transfer, as well as enroll in career-focused certificate classes.
Michigan Reconnect is part of Gov. Whitmer’s Sixtey by 30 plan, where she hopes to have at least 60 percent of the state’s adults earn a college degree or career certificate by 2030.
GRCC is one of the top colleges for students using the scholarship. During the Winter 2023 semester, 2,584 students were accepted to GRCC through Reconnect, and 1,141 were enrolled for the winter semester.
To find more information about the Michigan Reconnect program, go to www.grcc.edu/reconnect
