As part of an effort to make higher education affordable and accessible in West Michigan, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) announced its freezing tuition for the 2021-22 academic year. GRCC officials say, the tuition freeze, approved unanimously Monday by the school’s board of trustees, “reflects the focus on keeping a college education within reach at a time when many people in the community are experiencing financial challenges.”
GRCC President Bill Pink said in a statement that "the world has changed in ways we could not have imagined a year ago, and the community college’s goal is to help as many people as possible.”
“Here at GRCC one thing that I talk about quite a bit, and anyone on campus will tell you, is ‘relevant’ and ‘responsive,’ are we relevant as an institution, and are we responsive to the needs of our students and community,” Pink said. “I believe that this does exactly that.”
According to a press release, the freeze comes at a time when students have several options to attend GRCC free of charge with tuition covered by state and local programs. Michigan Reconnect scholarships are available for West Michigan residents ages 25 and older who have not yet earned a degree, and the Futures for Frontliners program offers tuition support students who worked in essential jobs during the spring pandemic shutdown.