LANSING – State Representatives Brenda Clack (D-Flint), Paula Zelenko (D-Burton), Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township) and John J. Gleason (D-Flushing) today praised Governor Jennifer M. Granholm for signing the Michigan Promise Grant. 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.
"Education is the key to the future for our students and for our state, and the Michigan Promise Grant will give more of our young people the chance to go on to college," said Clack, who was an educator in Flint schools for more than 30 years. "A highly educated workforce is critical for moving Michigan forward in the 21st century economy. With more students able to go to college, Michigan will have the highly educated workforce Michigan needs to attract businesses to our state."
Democrats fought hard for years to strengthen the Merit Scholarship, which will now be known as the Michigan Promise Grant. 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.
"By creating more opportunities for our students and building a highly educated workforce, Michigan can be a leader in the global economy," Gonzales said. "Michigan must keep pace as the nation and world advance. Our students must have every opportunity to pursue a higher education."
The graduating class of 2007 will be the first group eligible for the Michigan Promise Grant. The grant will not prevent students from receiving other federal or state awards.
"No student who wants to advance their education should be stopped by a financial roadblock," Zelenko said. "Students who want to continue their education to make something better of themselves deserve every opportunity. The Michigan Promise Grant will help many of our students go on to become the successful leaders of the future."
"Creating the best-educated workforce in the nation is crucial to getting Michigan's economy back on track," Gleason said. "Businesses are looking to relocate to states that boast highly skilled workers. Making college more affordable will help bring businesses to Michigan, and make our state a powerhouse in the 21st century economy."