LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Michael Webber on Wednesday encouraged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to work with the Legislature to implement its plans to reduce the cost of higher education.
“The bipartisan Michigan Achievement Scholarship was created to provide a pathway for students to succeed and offer different educational opportunities,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills. “This plan shows what we can accomplish in the Legislature when we work together to resolve the issues families are concerned with across the state. I encourage the governor to work with us to fully implement this important scholarship program so we can make college more affordable and enable Michigan students to rely less on student loans.”
As students are returning back to school, Webber said that the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has not yet identified eligible institutions for the $2,000 per year for two years trade school piece of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, has not created the application for Michigan residents, and still has nothing about the program on its website.
“These scholarships will help more students succeed as they seek to develop their skills and establish careers in diverse trades that are valued and needed across our communities,” Webber said. “I am hopeful we can work with the governor and LEO to make this important opportunity available to the students who need it as soon as possible.”
Webber previously supported proposals that were introduced as amendments to the higher education and community college budgets voted on by the Senate earlier this year.
“I supported a plan to freeze tuition at public universities and community colleges as an effective way to reduce barriers to higher education,” Webber said. “While this proposal was rejected by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, we were able to come together on a solution to provide a 4.5% tuition restraint that helps more students and families afford college.”
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