University presidents, students urge reinstatement of Michigan Tuition Grant for adult and part-time learners

University presidents and students told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges that the phase-out of the Michigan Tuition Grant has left adult and part-time learners without critical financial aid and urged lawmakers to restore the program.

At the subcommittee hearing, Lawrence Technological University President Tariq Soper told members that the grant historically supported students who cannot enroll full time and that its elimination had “posed a significant barrier to these dedicated learners.” He said LTU awarded the Michigan Tuition Grant to 1,735 students over the past three years, totaling more than $4.9 million, with an average award of about $2,690 per student.

“Each dollar awarded through the Michigan Tuition Grant not only directly benefits students, but also translates into over $10,000 in savings from avoided student loan interest over their lifetime repayments,” Soper said. He emphasized the role adult students play in the state’s workforce and said the Michigan Achievement Scholarship does not fill the gap because it is limited to full-time recent high school graduates.

Davenport University President Rick Pappas said the grant’s elimination affected roughly 750 Davenport students who expected the award this year and left institutions scrambling. “We put almost $400,000 of unbudgeted dollars … but it just certainly didn't fill the almost $2,000,000 deficit,” Pappas said, describing institutional steps to cover shortfalls and warning that some students delayed enrollment.

Student speakers described personal impacts. Sharte Cotton, a business marketing student at Lawrence Tech, said returning to college “wouldn't be possible without the Michigan Tuition Grant,” while Emma Turnquist, a Davenport senior and student-athlete, said the grant allowed her to focus on studies and athletics rather than take on additional debt. Madonna University students Reagan Esch and Jackson Glover also described how scholarships and grants shaped their college choices and career preparation.

Committee members asked presenters about outcomes and retention. Pappas and other presidents described career services, internship placement, and high rates of employment or continued study after graduation; Pappas said about 90% of students remain in Michigan after completing their degrees. Lawrence Tech representatives emphasized internship and co-op placement rates and cited a recent three-year average starting salary figure they said is highly competitive.

No formal legislative action on restoring the Michigan Tuition Grant was taken at the hearing. The committee accepted minutes from its April 15 meeting by motion of Representative Jenkins Arnaud with no objection and later granted a motion by Representative Roth to excuse absent members; both motions were carried without recorded opposition. The panel adjourned after presentations and brief questions.

Supporters at the hearing requested that legislators consider reinstating or expanding the Michigan Tuition Grant to cover part-time and adult learners so state aid reaches nontraditional students who are balancing work, family and study.

The hearing record does not include proposed legislation or a vote on reinstatement; presenters asked lawmakers to consider funding changes in future budget deliberations.