Michigan Awards 14 Colleges Over $3M for Transfer Student Support
Credit: Bloomberg / Bloomberg / Getty Images- Michigan State University received the largest grant of $996,000 to improve transfers from community colleges.
- Oakland University and Mott Community College are improving their pathways to get more students earning certificates and associate degrees within four years and bachelor’s degrees within six years.
- Michigan high school graduates are able to attend community college tuition-free.
Michigan is driving its initiative to educate its adult population and enhance the transfer pipeline between community colleges and universities.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) announced over $3 million in awards to 14 colleges.
The grants are part of Whitmer’s goal for 60% of the state’s working adults to have college degrees or skill certificates by 2030. Through the Sixty by 30 plan, Whitmer established tuition-free community college for all Michigan high school graduates, which went into effect at the beginning of the month.
Michigan State University (MSU) received the largest grant at $996,000 to improve the transfer process from community colleges.
“As the university with the largest number of students who choose to remain in Michigan to pursue their college education, we have a responsibility to ensure that all students have the opportunity to complete their degrees,” MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz said in the MiLEAP press release.
“This investment goes beyond just increasing enrollment — it’s about creating equitable pathways for every student to thrive and ensuring that every person can feel a sense of belonging from their very first interaction with MSU.”
MSU will use the grant to expand transfer partnerships with Lansing Community College, build a Transfer Student Success Center to support new transfers at MSU, and create a Transfer Advocacy Council to reform transfer policies and practices to minimize credit loss and improve equitable pathways to bachelor’s degrees.
Whitmer and MiLEAP also announced a $942,000 College Success Grant for Oakland University (OU) and Mott Community College (MCC) for their Diploma Equity Project.
The project redesigns student support systems to graduate more adults in degree and certificate programs. MCC aims to improve its four-year associate and certificate completion rate from 23% to 45%. OU is looking to reach a higher six-year bachelor’s completion rate for first-generation students — from 47% to 65%.
According to the press release, the systems should be operational in 18-24 months.
Schoolcraft College received $200,000 to enhance student support, and 10 colleges and universities received between $50,000 and $75,000 to research how to remove institutional barriers to student success.
“Ensuring Michiganders have access to quality, affordable education is a top priority for my administration,” Whitmer said in the press release.
“Today’s investment to help incoming community college transfers at MSU will open the door for them to earn their bachelor’s degrees, go on to earn higher incomes, and build rewarding careers right here in Michigan.
“These college success grants build on other strategic investments we have made including wraparound supports for community college students for things like childcare. Let’s keep working together to put more people on a path to prosperity.”
Michigan’s Free Community College and Other Scholarships
Students with “higher financial need” enrolling in community colleges will also get an extra $1,000 for food, housing, transportation, and childcare costs.
Recent high school graduates can also qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and receive different awards depending on their program:
- Up to $2,750 per year for community college students
- Up to $4,000 per year for private college or university students
- Up to $5,500 per year for students attending a public university or four-year degree program at a community college
- Up to $2,000 a year for learners in a career training program