TICAS Applauds Michigan Lawmakers for the Passage of Scholarship Bills

“Today, Governor Whitmer signed into law two bills, championed by lawmakers from both parties – Representatives Scott VanSingel, Sarah Anthony, and David LaGrand and Senators Kim LaSata and Jeff Irwin – that will make college more affordable for low-income Michigan college students impacted by COVID-19. TICAS applauds their leadership and is grateful for their action.

“These bills extend the time limits for using a Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS) or Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG) for students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bills also allow the state Treasury Department to devise a new method for allocating MCS awards that does not rely on the SAT statewide. With the state unable to administer the SAT in the 2020/2021 school year, it needs a new process to ensure these grants reach students from low-income families.

“A large coalition of business, education, and philanthropic groups throughout Michigan, including the Lansing Area Economic Partnership (LEAP), the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU), and more worked together over the past year to advance these changes, which will impact thousands of Michigan students.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan experienced an unprecedented dip in college enrollment among students from low-income families. By extending the MCS and MTG lifetime limits and expanding the eligibility criteria for MCS, these bills will enable students to get back on track and finish their degrees at their own pace, and ensure that they will not be penalized by losing access to financial aid as a result of the pandemic.”

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