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June 09, 2025
Tuition-Free Scholarship Continues to Expand Access to Postsecondary Education for Adult Learners, Advance Michigan’s Sixty by 30 Goal
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) joined students, community colleges and statewide partners today for a virtual ceremony to celebrate more than 5,000 Michigan Reconnect graduates.
“Every Michigander deserves a fair shot at success, and thanks to our tuition-free Michigan Reconnect program, anyone 25 and older can pursue their passion in Michigan,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Today, we’re celebrating more than 5,000 Reconnect graduates from across the state who earned a degree or certificate thanks to this life-changing program. These hardworking people didn’t give up on their dreams. They raised families, maintained jobs, and chose to do the hard thing—go back to school and finish what they started. I’m proud to celebrate these graduates, and I’m committed to working with our partners and institutions across Michigan to keep breaking down barriers to ensure everyone has an opportunity to ‘make it in Michigan’.”
Michigan Reconnect offers adult learners ages 25 and older the opportunity to earn a tuition-free degree or credential at their local community college or Tribal college. For those attending a college outside of their district, the scholarship covers up to the in-district tuition amount—a significant discount. Since the program’s launch in 2021, more than 200,000 Michiganders have taken the first step toward their postsecondary education through Reconnect and more than 10,000 have earned a degree or credential.
“Michigan Reconnect is opening doors and creating opportunity for Michiganders across our state,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. “These graduates have shown us what’s possible when people are given the opportunity and support to pursue their goals. They have invested in themselves, and in doing so, they are helping to strengthen their families, their communities and our state as a whole. We need all Michiganders to have the tools and support they need to thrive in today’s economy. I’m proud that Michigan Reconnect is leading the way in building a more skilled, more resilient and more inclusive workforce.”
Michigan Reconnect is a cornerstone of the state’s Sixty by 30 goal, aimed at increasing the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from the current level of 51.8% to 60% by 2030.
“This isn’t just a scholarship, it is a lifeline,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “Michigan Reconnect is helping adult Michiganders return to school with confidence and leave with credentials that create real opportunity. Every one of these graduates are proof that with the right support, determination, and access, anything is possible. At MiLEAP, we’re committed to ensuring that every Michigander can access the education they need to change their lives for the better, without the burden of tuition debt.”
“My first time in college, I was a football player, but when football didn’t work out neither did school. When I heard about Michigan Reconnect and the chance to go to college tuition-free, I jumped on it” said Brandon Keyes. “Having a navigator like Sean made all the difference. He was there every step of the way, not just to answer questions, but to hold me accountable. Reconnect has allowed me to become a better husband, a better father, and reminded me how to create for myself again I started community college through Reconnect, and this May, I graduated from the University of Michigan. That first step made everything else possible.”
To support students on their educational journey, Michigan Reconnect offers dedicated Navigators who provide one-on-one guidance throughout the college-going process including applying for federal student aid, setting career goals, selecting programs of study, registering for classes, creating graduation plans, and more. This includes a dedicated team for students ages 21 to 24 who applied through the program’s temporarily expansion, which ended in December 2024.
“Real life happens, especially with adult learners,” said Sean Henry, Michigan Reconnect navigator serving Wayne County Community College District. “Our students have families, full-time jobs and extenuating circumstances that have kept them from school, and our job is to be there for them as a resource for whatever they need. Letting adults know that every option is still on the table, even after everything they’ve overcome, is so important and it’s what Reconnect does best.”
Partners across the state continue to play an essential role in supporting programs that expand access to tuition-free postsecondary education and credentials. Organizations such as the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) and Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) provide critical outreach and institutional support that help more students succeed.
“At MCAN, we believe that every Michigander—regardless of age, background, or life circumstances—deserves the opportunity to earn a college degree or postsecondary certificate,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the MCAN. “Michigan Reconnect has made that vision a reality for thousands of adult learners by removing the financial barriers that too often stand in the way of education. But its impact goes even deeper than dollars and cents. Reconnect tells people—many of whom have felt left behind or overlooked—that they matter, that they’re capable, and that they are absolutely worthy of investment, opportunity, and support. It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to return to learning and reshape your future.”
“At MCCA, we work with all of Michigan’s community and Tribal colleges to help make sure adult learners have the support, programs and resources they need,” said Brandy Johnson, Michigan Community College Association president. “Our community colleges are the backbone of this effort, offering flexible, affordable pathways to success for learners of all ages. By working together, we’re ensuring that Michiganders have access to high-quality education and training that will prepare them for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
About Michigan Reconnect
Michigan Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for eligible participants 25 years old and older to attend an in-district community college tuition-free or offers a significantly reduced tuition rate for participants to attend an out-of-district community college. To learn more and apply to Michigan Reconnect, get started at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.
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