Can a higher education really be free? The answer is a resounding yes!
Michigan just became one of over 30 states offering free college tuition to its students. Michigan began exploring this concept of free college tuition several years ago during the COVID pandemic. It started with the Frontliners for the Future program, which offered free college tuition to anyone, regardless of age, who was on the front lines and forced to work during the pandemic. This included farmworkers, fast food workers, pizza delivery workers, and many others. While it covered numerous industries, not all of them were covered.
Then came Michigan Reconnect, which offered free tuition to anyone age 25 or older who wanted to attend a community college. In both cases, they only had to complete 12 credit hours during the year, which meant that part-time students were also eligible. In addition, both, like all the others, are “last-dollar” programs, meaning that students who were eligible for other forms of financial aid had to take them first, while the balance was then paid from those programs.
To stay on that course, last year the state offered Reconnect 21, which provides free college tuition for anyone 21 and older. And recently came the Michigan Achievement Scholarship (MAS), which is aimed at high school graduates attending a college, university or vocational training program. It offers:
- Up to $2,750 per year for community college students
- Up to $4,000 per year for students at private colleges or universities
- Up to $5,500 per year for students attending a public university or a four-year degree program at a community college
- Up to $2,000 per year for learners in a vocational training program
The latest initiative is the Community College Guarantee (CCG), part of the MAS specifically for community colleges, which covers tuition for all Michigan high school graduates working toward an associate degree or certificate at a state community college. Students with “higher financial need” receive $1,000 toward other costs such as food, housing, transportation, and child care. The CCG could save over 18,000 students approximately $4,820 in tuition annually.
In Monroe, residents who live outside of Monroe County are also eligible for the Community College Guarantee to attend MCCC, but it only covers the cost of tuition in the county.
To be eligible, students must:
- Have been a resident of Michigan since July 1 of the previous calendar year. In the case of dependent students, parents must also meet this requirement.
- Complete the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA)
- You have graduated from high school or obtained an equivalent high school diploma in 2023 or 2024.
- Enroll in full-time study at MCCC within 15 months of graduating from high school.
- Meet MCCC guidelines for satisfactory academic progress.
Additional eligibility requirements may apply. Students who are behind on federal student loan repayments are not eligible. Free community college programs are often called “Promise Programs.” While these programs significantly reduce costs, they often do not cover other expenses such as room and board, transportation, and book fees.
The average cost of a bachelor’s degree ranges from $25,707 to over $218,000, according to the Education Data Initiative. The price varies and depends on whether a student lives on campus and what type of college they attend. Many students must take out loans to afford college. The burden of these loans can often determine what careers students pursue and what opportunities they have after graduation. Research from the Federal Trade Commission found that offering free community colleges increased enrollment by 26 percent and graduation rates by 20 percent.
So, to qualify for the CCG, students must have recently graduated from high school, complete the FAFSA form, and be enrolled full-time at a community college like MCCC. For students from other districts, tuition is reduced by the amount of the scholarship. While part-time students are not eligible for the CCG, they are still eligible for the Reconnect programs.
Everyone knows that education is transformative, whether it is technical/vocational or more liberal arts-focused. The cost of college continues to rise out of control, and all of these programs give students the opportunity to earn a degree of economic value. While these free programs provide access, the emphasis is on success. After all, it’s all about student success.
— Kojo Quartey is president of Monroe County Community College and an economist.
