Governor Whitmer Proclaims October as College Month

Statement

Governor Whitmer proclaimed October as College Month to connect Michiganders with educational and financial resources and to help close the skills gap and move the state closer to reaching the governor's goal of 60% postsecondary educational attainment by 2030.

"Since day one, I have been committed to ensuring all Michiganders have a path to opportunity, and have worked across the aisle to help provide pathways to a post-secondary education," said Governor Whitmer. "I just signed the fiscal year 2021 budget, which includes funding for the Michigan Reconnect program, which provides a tuition-free pathway for adults looking to earn a postsecondary certificate or associate degree. And I announced the Futures for Frontliners program, which offers a tuition free pathway to a postsecondary degree or certificate for those frontline workers who worked on our behalf during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the program opened, more than 60,000 people have applied. During college month, I hope Michiganders everywhere explore these opportunities to see if they're right for them."

A month ago, Governor Whitmer announced the Futures for Frontliners program, the nation's first-of-its's-kind program offering tuition-free college to an estimated 625,000 Michiganders who served on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, the governor announced her Sixty by 30 goal, which aims to increase the number of working-age adults with a skills certificate or college degree to 60% by 2030. To advance her goal, Governor Whitmer signed into law the 2021 budget which included $30 million for the Michigan Reconnect program to provide a tuition-free pathway for adults looking to upskill and earn a postsecondary certificate or associate degree.

Additionally, the budget included a total of $28.7 million is provided for the Going PRO program to support job training grants to businesses to support training for current and new employees in high-demand, skilled trades industries. New funding of $3 million is provided for a statewide pre-apprenticeship program with the goal of developing qualified candidates for building trades apprenticeships in the construction industry.

According to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, 70 percent of all jobs in Michigan will require some postsecondary education or training beyond high school by 2020. To encourage Michiganders to apply for college, during the month of October, all Michigan colleges will accept the National Associated for College Admission Counseling application fee waiver for any student who has demonstrated financial need.

Source