GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Students at Grand Rapids Community College are heading back to class Monday, and some freshmen will come without a tuition bill thanks to a new state guarantee.
This is the first incoming class of freshmen to take advantage of the Michigan Community College Guarantee. GRCC said they have around 450 students eligible and receiving the new scholarship. The goal of the scholarship is to help graduating high school seniors head to their local community college tuition-free.
Everyone who recently graduated from a high school in Michigan is eligible. Here are the requirements:
David DeBoer, the executive director for financial aid at GRCC, said this new state scholarship will help remove financial barriers for people wanting to continue their education.
“I would see this as a great opportunity to take away that financial hurdle that potentially prevents students from enrolling in college, whether that be going into a regular degree, general associate degree or if they wanted to go into one in the workforce. It just removes that financial burden for students,” DeBoer said.
This program is available for high school graduates in the future. Class of 2024 spring graduates must enroll by the fall semester of 2025.
The community college is also partnering with The Rapid to provide free transportation for students and staff. Starting Monday, they will be able to use any of the Rapid’s 28 fixed routes with an all-access transit pass. This is a one-year pilot program and students must request a new Wave card every semester. Staff’s cards last 12 months.
Charles W. Lepper, the president of GRCC, said in a statement that the new pilot program is a way to support students and staff while helping them create a more successful community.
“We recognize that many of our students face challenges in accessing essentials like food, housing, and transportation. Providing cost free access to The Rapid is a meaningful step toward equity, removing barriers to education,” Lepper said.
Students and staff can request the cards on the My GRCC platform and must show identification when picking them up. Students taking advantage of the state’s new guarantee can renew the scholarship for up to three years at a community college.
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