LANSING – State Representatives Brenda Clack (D-Flint), John J. Gleason (D-Flushing), Paula Zelenko (D-Burton) and Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township) today applauded the passage of the new Michigan Merit Scholarship. The award grants Michigan students $4,000, up from the current $2,500, after completing two years of community college, university or vocational training. Students would be required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 to receive the award.
"The new Merit Scholarship will give more of our students the chance to go on to college or trade school, which will help build a strong workforce in Michigan," said Clack, who was an educator in Flint schools for more than 30 years. "Education is the key to success for our young residents, and a highly educated workforce is crucial for moving Michigan forward in the 21st century economy."
House Democrats have fought hard for years to pass a strengthened merit scholarship. In an April 2004 report, The Brookings Institution warned that America will not be able to hold on to the highest-paying jobs in the world if the number of college graduates with degrees in physical sciences, math and engineering continues on a downward trend.
"Creating the best-educated workforce is essential to getting Michigan's economy back on track," Gleason said. "Businesses want to relocate to states that have highly skilled workers. Making college and trade school more affordable for our students will help entice businesses to move to Michigan."
The graduating class of 2007 will be the first group eligible for the new Merit Scholarship. The new Merit Scholarship would not prevent students from receiving other federal or state awards.
"No student who wants to go to college or trade school should be denied that opportunity because they can't afford it," Zelenko said. "Awarding more money to our students who want to continue their education is the best way to ensure that they will stay in school and go on to become successful."
"By creating more opportunities for our students, Michigan can be a leader in the global economy," Gonzales said. "As the nation and world advance, it's critical for Michigan's students to have every opportunity to pursue a higher education. Their success depends on it, and Michigan's future depends on it."