Gov. Whitmer Secures tuition-free community college for High School graduates

LANSING,- Today, Governor Whitmer highlighted the new school aid budget, which delivers on the Michigan Guarantee so every high school graduate can earn an associate's degree or skills certificate from an in-district community college tuition-free, saving more than 18,000 students up to $4,800 a year.

"I'm proud of our work to lower the cost of higher education and put college or skills training in reach for more working Michigan families," said Governor Whitmer. "This education budget goes even further, delivering on our Michigan Guarantee to ensure every Michigan high school graduate can earn an associate degree or skills certificate tuition-free at their community college. Across our state more Michiganders are going back to school and getting the skills they need for high-skilled, better-paying jobs. We'll keep working to lower barriers to economic prosperity and help more families 'make it' in Michigan."

"Education is our greatest engine for economic and personal advancement," said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. "Thanks to the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Michigan Reconnect, countless Michiganders across our state have been able to chase their dreams of a good-paying job, a college education or skills training, and a better life. This education budget delivers on the Michigan Guarantee, making two years of community college or skills training an achievable goal for more Michigan families. We are grateful for the partnership that got this done and we will continue lowering barriers to health and wealth for Michiganders."

The Michigan Guarantee

In her 2024 State of the State Address, the governor laid out her vision to improve education in Michigan. The governor proposed the Michigan Guarantee, so every Michigander can have access to quality education from pre-K through community college.

Making the first two years of community college tuition-free for high school graduates will save more than 18,000 students up to $4,820 as they earn an associate's degree or skills certificate at a community college, helping them land a better-paying, high-skill job in a career field they are passionate about.

Governor Whitmer's Record, Bipartisan Investments in Education

Delivering on the Michigan Guarantee builds on historic investments in education in the FY25 budget and throughout Governor Whitmer's administration. The recently passed budget includes the largest investment in schools in our state's history, with $598 million in ongoing payments to school districts across the state, equivalent to a 4% increase in the per-pupil foundation allowance; hundreds of millions to continue historic investments for student mental health and school safety; more investments in literacy and free school breakfast and lunch.

The governor set the Sixty by 30 Goal to have at least 60% of Michiganders earn a degree or skill certificate by 2030 and created the Office of Sixty by 30 to lead the state's effort. Governor Whitmer also lowered the age of Michigan Reconnect from 25 to 21, offering Michigander's tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate in high-demand careers.