LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm visited Lansing Community College today to unveil the details of the New Merit Scholarship. Standing with legislative leaders, educators, students, and parents, she called the new program an opportunity for all students to go to college.
“Every child growing up in Michigan today must have more than a high school diploma to compete in the 21st century economy," said Granholm. “The New Merit Scholarship will open the door of higher education to more students and will ensure that they have the skills they need to be successful in the future. More college graduates with more workplace skills equals a more robust economy for our state.”
The New Merit Scholarship will guarantee every student who successfully completes two years of college a minimum of $4,000 in scholarship support from state and federal sources – an amount roughly equal to two years of community college tuition.
Beginning with the high school graduating class of 2007, students will be eligible to receive this scholarship if they earn an associate’s degree from a Michigan community college, achieve junior standing at a four-year Michigan college or university, or complete an equivalent technical or career training program. Previous high school requirements to receive a Merit Scholarship, including earning a diploma, completing 40 hours of community service, and taking the high school assessment test remain in place. Students must enroll in post-secondary education within two years of graduating from high school and reach the “two-year” milestone within four years. Military service does not count against these requirements.
“Michigan guarantees children a public high school education, and now we want to guarantee them a college education as well,” said Granholm. “The New Merit Scholarship will put two years of college within reach for every student in our state and, thereby, strengthen the odds that they will complete their college education or its equivalent.”
The over-arching recommendation of the Cherry Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth was that the state must expect all students to continue their education beyond high school. The report also stressed the need to both increase participation and degree completion in higher education.
The funds from the tobacco settlement that currently fund the Merit Scholarship program will be deposited into a trust fund for the New Merit Scholarship once the obligations are met to the graduating classes of 2005 and 2006.
The Governor was joined by Senator Mickey Switalski (D-Roseville) and Representative Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit) who will sponsor the legislation in their respective chambers.
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