¡Dígale a sus legisladores que amplíen el acceso a la universidad gratuita!

In today’s economy, many higher paid jobs demand post-secondary education or training. A Michigander with an associate degree will make $7,500 more each year, on average, than someone with only a high school diploma. Michigan Reconnect helps Michiganders find better jobs by providing free tuition for workforce training programs and community college to residents 25 and older who don’t have college degrees.

Since launching in 2021, the program has helped almost 150,000 people return to post-secondary education and training. Recently, a temporary expansion opened Michigan Reconnect to students age 21 through 24. Those students were 11% more likely to stay in school or finish their program than their peers 25 and up.

Because of advocates like you, the state government decided to again temporarily expand Michigan Reconnect to those 21 and older, but that expansion is only funded for one year, creating uncertainty for students. Opening pathways to skilled and higher paying careers early in life doesn’t just benefit individuals and families ─ it improves whole communities by connecting businesses to the workers they need to power local economies. Join us in encouraging your representatives in the state legislature to expand the Michigan Reconnect Program to students 21 and older!