In response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's press conference Thursday morning, Michigan College Access Network executive director Ryan Fewins-Bliss has expressed MCAN's support of the Futures for Frontliners scholarship program. This new program supports Gov. Whitmer's Sixty by 30 college attainment goal, an effort MCAN has aligned with to support statewide postsecondary education access.
The following statement is from Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s opening of applications for the Futures for Frontliners Scholarship program:
“Michigan College Access Network fully supports the launch of the Futures for Frontliners scholarship program honoring Michigan’s heroes who braved a global pandemic to keep our communities running. The program invests in both individuals and the state by contributing toward the governor’s Sixty by 30 college attainment goal. Eighty percent of Michigan’s high growth, high wage jobs require formal learning beyond high school. This opportunity for a tuition-free certificate or associate degree will enable thousands of our dedicated frontline workers access to education and careers that many thought wouldn’t be possible – especially people of color, low-income workers and first-generation college-going students. We are proud to serve as a Frontliners Champion by ensuring our network is poised to support and promote the program among those eligible to participate.”
ABOUT FUTURES FOR FRONTLINERS
Futures for Frontliners offers Michiganders who worked in essential industries during the April 1-June 30 period, and do not have a college degree, free tuition to their local community college to pursue an associate degree or a skills certificate on a full-time or part-time basis while they continue to work. Those individuals without a high school diploma or equivalency will be eligible for services to help them prepare for and complete this credential and go on to a community college or job training program. The application period runs through December 31 of this year with enrollment available beginning in January of 2021.
To apply and learn more about Futures for Frontliners, visit michigan.gov/frontliners.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (MCAN)
As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN works to improve the futures of Michigan’s students and communities by making college accessible to all. MCAN’s work centers on one main goal: To increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030. MCAN engages partners statewide who are committed to systems-level change and the reduction of barriers to increase college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. MCAN has helped Michigan’s postsecondary attainment rate increase for the 10th consecutive year. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.
