Beginning Fall 2024, students from the class of 2023 and beyond are eligible for the Community College Guarantee – allowing them to earn a skill certificate or degree at their local community or tribal college tuition-free.
David DeBoer is the Executive Director of Financial Aid at Grand Rapids Community College where 450 students are receiving the new scholarship at over $1 million at GRCC alone.
He says it will also benefit students in counties that don’t have a community college, such as Ottawa or Allegan.
“They might not get 100% covered if they’re out-of-district but they’ll still get a good benefit to help them along the way.”
The program covers in-district tuition, hours and mandatory fees.
To be eligible, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), be a Michigan resident since July of the previous year, graduate from a Michigan high school or earn an equivalency certificate and enroll in full-time college within 15 months of graduation.
DeBoer says it's not just for traditional degrees either.
“The Michigan Guarantee also helps with like GRCC job training programs like electrical work, welding or construction work so even people who want to go into automotive repair or something like that, they could still participate.”
The scholarship can be renewed for three years.
GRCC is also partnering with The Rapid of offer free transportation for students and staff with an all-access transit pass requested through the My GRCC platform.