In her Michigan State of the State Address, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in the next budget, she wants to make the first two years of community college tuition-free.
“This is a transformational opportunity for graduating seniors and will help us achieve our Sixty by 30 goal to have 60% of adults earn a post-secondary degree or skills training by 2030. We’re broadening our vision of education beyond K through 12.”
Governor Whitmer estimates community college students could save, on average, $4,000 on tuition.
“However, this type of plan will only put the financial burden on the taxpayers who are already struggling with high costs. We owe it to Michiganders to be fiscally responsible.”
State Senator Mark Huizenga says that includes any form of policy.
The Walker Republican serves the 30th Senate District encompassing portions of Kent and Ottawa Counties. In 2023, he proposed freezing tuition at the state’s community colleges and 15 public universities but that the idea was rejected.
Currently, under the Michigan Reconnect program, students enrolled in community college job training for medical techs and electricians is tuition-free for anyone 21 and older.