The Michigan Department of Labor and Opportunity says the response to the state’s new Michigan Reconnect program has been strong. In fact, acting Director Susan Corbin tells WSJM News it’s been “incredible.”
“We announced today that so far we have 62,000 people from Michigan who have applied for the Michigan Reconnect program,” Corbin said. “That’s beyond our goal of hitting that number by Memorial Day.”
That’s about six weeks after the program was announced. Michigan Reconnect will pay the tuition for anyone age 25 or older seeking an associate degree at a community college. Corbin calls the program historic.
“This is the first time in the state’s history when we have provided people over the age of 25 a tuition-free pathway to get a two-year associate degree at a community college.”
Corbin notes the program has bipartisan support in the Michigan Legislature as it benefits both those who choose to go back to school and local businesses. Of the 62,000 applications to be approved, 768 are in Berrien County and 437 are in Van Buren County. You can learn more at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.
