Governor Whitmer Announces Expanded Eligibility for Michigan Reconnect, Opens Application for Michiganders 21 years and Older

Michigan Reconnect, a tuition-free path for adults to earn a college degree or skills certificate, has graduated nearly 20,000 students since its launch in 2021

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Whitmer announced that Michiganders ages 21–24 can now apply for Michigan Reconnect, giving thousands of adults who were previously ineligible for the scholarship a new opportunity to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate at their local community or Tribal college. They will join more than 250,000 Michiganders who have applied for Reconnect and nearly 20,000 graduates. Michigan Reconnect is helping students set a stronger foundation, with the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics reporting that Reconnect graduates earn a median wage of over $13,000 more than their pre-Reconnect wages. 

“Every Michigander deserves a fair shot at building a future, and we’re making sure that money doesn’t stand in the way,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michigan Reconnect is one of the biggest investments we’ve made to help Michiganders afford the education and training they need to get ahead, and now thousands more adults ages 21 through 24 can benefit. We’re proud to expand this proven program as we work toward our state’s Sixty by 30 goal. Let’s keep working together to make Michigan a place where more people can learn, earn, and succeed.”

Launched in 2021, Michigan Reconnect helps adults without a college degree enroll in or return to school for little to no cost. Students attending their local community college can enroll tuition-free, and students attending an out of district college can receive substantial tuition assistance toward an associate degree or skills certificate. To date, nearly 20,000 Michiganders have graduated.

The program’s expansion is made possible by a $25 million ongoing investment included in the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2027 education budget, lowering the eligibility age from 25 to 21.For students, the benefits extend beyond tuition assistance. Earning a degree or skills certificate can provide access to new career opportunities, increased earning potential, and a stronger foundation for long-term financial security.

“One year after graduation, our research shows that the median wage among Reconnectors increased $13,400 compared with pre-Reconnect wages,” said Scott Powell, chief data officer for the State of Michigan and director of MCDA. “By year two, the group’s median wage increased to $16,300 higher than pre-Reconnect wages, representing an overall increase of 48 percent. Additionally, Reconnect graduates earned a median of $16,500 more one year after graduation than similar workers with a high school diploma."

Today at Jackson College, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) encouraged newly eligible Michiganders to take advantage of the expanded opportunity and apply for Michigan Reconnect.

“Michigan Reconnect has shown us what is possible when we remove financial barriers and give more Michiganders the opportunity to pursue a postsecondary credential,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, executive director of MiLEAP. “Expanding eligibility now means even more Michiganders can take the next step toward a credential, a high-wage career, and greater economic stability. We encourage all adults ages 21 and older to learn more and apply for Michigan Reconnect today.”

During the program’s previous temporary expansion, which ended in December 2024, nearly 35,000 adults ages 21–24 applied for the scholarship, with more than 18,600 enrolling in a community or Tribal college.

“At Jackson College, we have seen Michigan Reconnect remove financial barriers and help adult learners earn credentials in nursing, medical assisting, business, technology, and other high-demand fields,” said Dr. Daniel J. Phelan, president and CEO of Jackson College. “These graduates are strengthening our workforce, supporting local businesses, and creating new opportunities for themselves and their families.”

“Opening Michigan Reconnect to more adults is about meeting people where they are in life and building their path to a college credential,” said Sarah Szurpicki, MiLEAP’s deputy director for Higher Education. “There are Michiganders who are working, raising families, and contributing to their communities who are ready for a new opportunity. This expansion removes the financial burden of tuition—and that can have a meaningful impact not only on their families but on the employers and communities that depend on them.”

“Like so many students, I graduated high school and wanted to go to college,” said Reconnect graduate Kendrik Myers. “I tried to go full time, part time and ended up not going because I couldn’t make the money work. I found Michigan Reconnect, and that not only took care of the financial end but it also provided me with a support system that really helped me. Now I have a career and I’m a manager because of the things I learned and applied from my education. I think it is great that even more adults will have this opportunity.” 

Michigan Reconnect Navigators are available to provide free, one-on-one support to students throughout their education, including help applying for financial aid, setting career goals, selecting programs of study, and more.

Michiganders can learn more about Reconnect, including eligibility requirements and participating community colleges, and apply by visiting Michigan.gov/Reconnect. The application takes about five minutes to complete.

Partners are encouraged to help spread the word about Michigan Reconnect by sharing the ready-to-use resources available in the Michigan Reconnect Partner Toolkit.

Investing in Kids, Schools, & Skills

From preschool to postsecondary, every student deserves an affordable, quality education. Governor Whitmer has made record investments in students, schools, and skills training, including:

• Delivered on the Community College Guarantee, giving every Michigan high school graduate the chance to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skill certificate at their local community college.
• Created and expanded the Michigan Achievement Scholarship to lower the cost of college by up to $27,500. Served nearly 90,000 students from all 83 counties.
• Increased investments in state financial aid by more than 500%, making it more affordable for thousands of Michiganders to earn a skill certificate or college degree.
• Put Michigan students first with more than $10,300 in per-student funding, the highest ever state funding.  
• Established the first ever free breakfast and lunch program in Michigan, feeding 1.4 million public school students and forgave all school meal debt through bipartisan collaboration.
• Increased funding for at-risk students, English language learners, and special education.
• Expanded access to free pre-K to every four-year-old so every kid can arrive at kindergarten ready to thrive–now reaching record enrollment with nearly 55,000 children. 
• Set the Every Child Reads goal to ensure every child has the support they need to be a strong reader, writer, and communicator. With feedback from parents, educators, and community members, created Michigan’s Every Child Reads plan including investing in early starts, proven methods, and extra help.
• Helped more families save for college by granting greater flexibility for students using the Michigan Education Trust program.
• Made apprenticeships more accessible by ensuring the Michigan Education Savings Program Act covers expenses for books, fees, and other supplies.