LANSING – House Majority Floor Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) today threw her support behind Michigan college students rallying at the State Capitol to save the Michigan Promise Scholarship. The scholarship, which has made college affordable and accessible for nearly 100,000 Michigan students, is in danger of elimination due to budget cuts proposed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
"Simply put, these cuts are irresponsible," Angerer said. "We need to make cuts that create a more efficient government – not cuts that slam the door on opportunities for our students to work toward a better life for themselves. This is a crucial time for Michigan. It is more important than ever for the Legislature to preserve programs like the Promise Scholarship that offer us a way out of our economic struggles."
The Michigan Promise Scholarship awards Michigan students with a total of $4,000 after they complete two years of community college, university, or vocational training with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Nearly 100,000 students rely on the Promise Scholarship every year. According to the Census Bureau, college graduates can expect to earn almost twice as much during their lifetimes as someone with only a high school diploma.
"Two years ago I successfully fought to expand access to the Promise Scholarship," said Angerer. "I will not stand idly by now and allow Michigan to break that promise."
Residents interested in receiving brief updates on the budget process can sign up for Angerer's e-newsletter by visiting her Web site, www.house.mi.gov/kangerer.