November 2022: Scholarship Month

WHEREAS, the constantly rising costs of higher education have out-paced inflation and the growth of family income, all of which pose a serious threat to the ability of our residents to ensure access to a college education; and,

WHEREAS, according to the State of Michigan’s Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, more than 1.75 million Michigan jobs are projected to require some level of postsecondary education by 2030, and scholarships play a key role in helping students achieve the skills they need for these careers; and,

WHEREAS, many Michiganders face financial barriers to obtaining a degree or certificate and scholarships can provide need-based aid to support their education and career goals; and

WHEREAS, scholarships may also provide money based on a student’s interests, including awards for trades, crafters, gamers, vegans, green thumbs, Trekkies, and more; and,

WHEREAS, many local communities provide place-based scholarship opportunities through schools, civic organizations, faith-based institutions, jobs or parents’ jobs; and,

WHEREAS, the state of Michigan offers a host of scholarships, such as Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Competitive Scholarship, Michigan Tuition Grant, Children of Veterans Tuition Grant, Fostering Futures Scholarship, Tuition Incentive Program, MI Future Educator Fellowship, MI Future Educator Stipend, and Michigan Achievement Scholarship among others; and,

WHEREAS, students should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for scholarships early, and again every year that their studies continue, because some deadlines are as early as a year before a student begins college; and,

WHEREAS, for some scholarships, no additional application is even necessary and student eligibility is based simply on completing a FAFSA; and,

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan strives to assist students and families in identifying and accessing available resources to support postsecondary education because financial barriers shouldn't stand in the way of students pursuing their educational and career dreams; and,

WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid Outreach Team, Michigan’s go-to resource for financial aid information, provides a database of Michigan place-based scholarships, as well as scholarship application resources, and connects students to Michigan college and national scholarship opportunities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 2022 as Scholarship Month in Michigan.