Michigan: Governor Whitmer Joins Complete College America

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October 8, 2019

Governor Whitmer Joins Complete College America

Michigan joins organization to increase college completion rates, break down barriers to student success

LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan's membership in Complete College America, an organization dedicated to increasing college completion rates and ensuring everyone, no matter who they are, has a path to postsecondary success.

"Every Michigander deserves a path to a good-paying job that they can support themselves and their families on," said Governor Whitmer. "That's why one of my first actions as governor was to announce a statewide goal of reaching 60 percent of Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030. I'm excited to partner with Complete College America as we take further steps toward reaching that goal. When we break down barriers, especially for low-income students, first generation college-going students, and students of color, we can grow our economy, close the skills gap, and ensure every family can thrive here in Michigan."

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During her State of the State address, Governor Whitmer announced a statewide goal of reaching 60 percent of Michigan residents with a postsecondary credential by 2030. The governor also announced plans for two financial aid programs to help us reach those goals:

The MI Opportunity Scholarship will ensure every high school graduate has a tuition-free pathway to a community college education, and ensure that a four-year degree is much more affordable for low- and middle income families. The Michigan Reconnect program will provide free skills training programs to working-aged adults at community colleges to fill the more than 100,000 jobs currently in demand from Michigan businesses.

Right now, Michigan community college and university completion rates are average compared to other states. At the community college level, roughly one in three students complete a credential or transfer to a four-year institution within three years. Completion rates are higher at four-year institutions where over 70 percent of students earn a bachelor's degree in six years, and, in both cases, there is significant opportunity to improve.

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Complete College America is a national advocate for increasing college completion rates and breaking barriers to enrollment by working with states and institutions to ensure all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or familial educational achievement, have equal opportunities to access and complete a college education.

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