Companion bills that seek to connect Michigan residents with postsecondary opportunities have been introduced in both the House and Senate in Lansing.

The bills are focused on “enhancing the economic talent of Michigan residents, increasing access to academic and technical credentials or certifications and improving educational opportunities.”

If passed, the bipartisan legislation would establish the Michigan Reconnect Grant and the Michigan Opportunity Initiative. Both programs are modeled after bipartisan programs in Tennessee.

Michigan Reconnect

Michigan Reconnect would provide a tuition-free pathway to an industry certificate or associate degree. Specifically, House Bill 4456 and Senate Bill 268 seek to establish a financial aid program for residents seeking associate degrees or industry-recognized certificates. To qualify, a resident must be at least 25 years old, have a high school degree or equivalent and be enrolled in an eligible program.

Michigan Opportunity Initiative

The Michigan Opportunity Initiative offers two paths to help graduating high schoolers obtain a postsecondary credential. Path I provides two years of tuition-free education at a community college. While Path II provides two years of tuition assistance at a university.

House Bill 4464 and Senate Bill 267 seek to establish a tuition assistance program for undergraduate students attending certain colleges, universities and community colleges. The program would establish a success-coach program at eligible community colleges to provide support services for those participating in the program.

The bills state that both programs would be funded through the state’s Talent Investment Fund.

Bridge Magazine reports Michigan Reconnect would cost $40 million to launch while the Michigan Opportunity Initiative would cost $109 million in the first year.

In her State of the State Address earlier this year Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a new statewide goal to increase the number of Michiganders with a postsecondary credential to 60 percent by 2030. Prior to her announcement Michigan was one of only nine states in the U.S. without a formal goal for postsecondary attainment.

The governor shared that Michigan Reconnect and the Michigan Opportunity Scholarship would play a large role in helping Michigan residents attain a postsecondary credential.

All four bills have been referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

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CMF will be monitoring activity on this legislation and alert members of key developments via our social media channels @michfoundations.