{"id":10072,"date":"2024-10-02T13:35:06","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T13:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/?p=10072"},"modified":"2024-10-02T13:35:06","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T13:35:06","slug":"gov-whitmer-mileap-announce-3-million-in-first-round-of-college-success-grant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/02\/gov-whitmer-mileap-announce-3-million-in-first-round-of-college-success-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"Gov. Whitmer, MiLEAP announce $3 Million in first round of College Success Grant"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>LANSING, Mich., September 30, 2024<\/strong>: In a significant step toward enhancing education accessibility and degree attainment for Michiganders, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) are announcing the first round of awards from the new College Success Grant program. The first awards total nearly $3 million, including a near $1 million investment to Michigan State University (MSU) to support thousands more Michiganders in transferring from community college to complete their bachelor\u2019s degree. Alongside MSU, the Diploma Equity Project and Schoolcraft College have also been awarded funding to implement innovative practices that empower student success.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnsuring Michiganders have access to quality, affordable education is a top priority for my administration,\u201d said\u00a0Governor Gretchen Whitmer<\/strong>. \u201cToday\u2019s investment to help incoming community college transfers at MSU will open the door for them to earn their bachelor\u2019s degrees, go on to earn higher incomes, and build rewarding careers right here in Michigan. These college success grants build on other strategic investments we have made including wraparound supports for community college students for things like child care. Let\u2019s keep working together to put more people on a path to prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n

This investment aligns with Michigan\u2019s ambitious Sixty by 30 goal to increase the number of working-age adults with a college degree or skill certificate to 60% by 2030. It also builds on MiLEAP\u2019s charge to improve education outcomes for Michigan students. These competitive, student success-focused grants are part of a broader state strategy to lower costs and increase attainment, including the\u00a0Community College Guarantee<\/a>, which offers a tuition-free pathway for recent high school graduates to earn a skill certificate or degree at their local community college.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited to partner with the Governor on another important initiative to expand access to postsecondary education for more Michiganders,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP<\/strong>. \u201cThe College Success Grants make strategic short-term investments that will yield long-standing benefits by creating a more supportive system for students as they strive to earn a skill certificate or college degree.\u201d<\/p>\n

As an example of the impact of these grants, MSU will use the funding to improve processes and support for students transferring from a community college. Currently, around 1,800 students transfer from a community college to the university each year. With the $996,000 in College Success Grant funding, the university plans to expand its ongoing efforts to become a transfer-friendly institution, helping more students see community college as an accessible and affordable path to a bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the university with the largest number of students who choose to remain in Michigan to pursue their college education, we have a responsibility to ensure that all students have the opportunity to complete their degrees,\u201d said\u00a0MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D<\/strong>. \u201cThis investment goes beyond just increasing enrollment \u2013 it\u2019s about creating equitable pathways for every student to thrive and ensuring that every person can feel a sense of belonging from their very first interaction with MSU.\u201d<\/p>\n

Key initiatives supported by the grant will include:<\/p>\n