FeedsLegislator lauds education ‘promise’
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State Rep. Elect Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) said the Promise Grants were a critical investment in the future of Michigan.While he wasn’t in Lansing to make the promise, State Rep.-elect Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) plans to keep it.
“We must make higher education more accessible to our students in Wayne County, and that’s exactly what the Michigan Promise Grant will do,” said the 35-year old lawyer turned elected official. He hosted an event Tuesday at Schoolcraft College to announce the new Michigan scholarship program.
Corriveau lauded Gov. Jennifer Granholm and elected officials in the House and Senate for approving the scholarship that will help make the dream of a college education a reality for people across the state.
The Michigan Promise grant will award Michigan students $4,000, an increase of $1,500 from the old Merit Scholarship limit of $2,500. Starting with the class of 2007, every Michigan student who attends college or technical training school within the state is eligible for the funds.
Students who receive qualifying scores on their high school assessment exams will receive $1,000 during their freshman and sophomore years of study. The remaining $2,000 will come after the students successfully complete two years of post secondary education.
Students who did not score well on their assessment can earn the entire $4,000 by completing two years of college or vocational school. All students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to earn it.
John Walsh, executive director of development and governmental relations at Schoolcraft College, said his students will welcome the scholarship.
“The scholarship will benefit the students who fight their way into school and stay,” Walsh said. “It gives us an opportunity to make education more affordable for our students.”
Walsh said the Michigan Promise has the potential to show young people that the state is willing to invest in their future and encourage them to build their careers at home.
Corriveau said in order for young people to stay in Michigan they must see opportunity.
“The Michigan Promise gives our students the pay-off they deserve,” he said. “Michigan will reap the rewards with a highly educated workforce that will help get our economy back on track.”
Corriveau said the new scholarship program saves the state $18.4 million in 2007. Instead of giving $2,500 in two years, the state will award $1,000 a year. He admits the state will have to find a way to fund the program beyond 2009 when costs will exceed more than $64 million.
“We have to make a decision to fund what’s important,” said Corriveau. “No student should be kept out of college because of financial reasons.”
