Overview
This act establishes and administers the Michigan Reconnect Grant Program, providing last-dollar financial aid to eligible residents age 25+ pursuing associate degrees or industry-recognized certificates at community colleges, with the goal of increasing Michigan's skilled workforce.
Purpose and Goals
- Michigan Reconnect Grant Program helps residents age 25+ afford associate degree or certificate programs.
- The goal is to have 60% of residents age 25-64 possess a college degree or credential by 2030.
- The grant provides "last-dollar" financial support after other forms of aid.
Eligible Institutions
- Must be accredited public community colleges in Michigan.
- Must comply with tuition/fee restraints outlined in state law.
- Must track and report student outcomes, including persistence and credential completion.
- Must implement student success strategies and policies for recognizing prior learning.
- Required to offer accelerated or innovative remediation programs by January 1, 2022.
- Must provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
- Designate a contact person for grant program administration.
Program Administration
- Administered by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
- Department operates website, marketing, help desk, and a navigator network.
- Provides students with information about in-demand skills and compensation.
- Collects and reports student outcome data using a statewide student ID system.
- Organizes a workgroup to study developmental education placement and recommends policies.
- Convenes stakeholders to ensure programs match local labor market demands.
- Facilitates partnerships between businesses, unions, and colleges to align training with job openings.
- Must annually report on grant awards, expenses, navigator assignments, and recipient outcomes.
Funding and Rulemaking
- Department may use appropriated funds for grants and program support.
- Rulemaking is limited to implementing the student data reporting system.
- Temporary policy or directives may be used before final rules are adopted.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Michigan Reconnect Grant — Last-dollar financial aid for Michigan residents age 25+ pursuing associate degrees/certificates at public community colleges.
- Eligible Institution — Accredited Michigan public community college meeting reporting, remediation, and support requirements.
- Gift Aid — Federal/state grants, excluding loans and certain other education funds.
- Industry-Recognized Certificate or Credential — Portable certification valued by employers in a field.
- Navigator — Staff providing guidance/support to grant students.
- Remediation Program Models — Corequisite, compression, modularization, or other approved approaches to support underprepared students.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Annual report due February 1 each year detailing program outcomes and expenditures.
- Workgroup to submit remediation policy recommendations within 9 months of act’s effective date.
- Organize labor market stakeholder meetings within 6 months of act’s effective date.