GRCC says Ottawa County ARPA gap grant helped 258 residents afford college

Crystal Morris, executive director of financial aid at Grand Rapids Community College, told the Ottawa County Finance Administration Committee on July 8 that Ottawa County’s Reconnect Gap Grant, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), awarded 258 county residents a total grant pool of just over $506,000 to bridge the difference between Michigan Reconnect benefits and higher nonresident tuition rates.

Morris said awards ranged from $2 to nearly $5,000 with an average award of about $1,853 and that the grant ran from the winter 2023 semester through summer 2024. "The Ottawa County Gap Grant was made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act," Morris said. "This grant truly helped remove financial barriers for our adult learners pursuing higher education."

The college set clear eligibility rules: recipients had to be Ottawa County residents who were considered nonresidents for tuition purposes, eligible for Michigan Reconnect, have a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file, be degree- or certificate-seeking, and be enrolled at least half time (six credits). To administer the awards, GRCC created a Lakeshore Reconnect navigator position that coordinated orientations, FAFSA workshops, outreach campaigns, and cross-office coordination with admissions, advising and success coaches.

Morris described the typical academic programs and student profile. The most common enrollments were health- and exercise-related programs (pre-exercise, nutrition, public health, recreation/sport management), business administration, electrical controls engineering technology and nursing, along with transfer degrees intended for four‑year colleges in Michigan. She said 14 percent of awardees were ages 21–24 and 86 percent were 25 or older; 56 percent were female and 44 percent male. Of the 258 recipients, 87 percent were returning students, about 13 percent were new to GRCC, and nearly 47 percent were first-generation college students.

As of June 24, 2025, Morris reported a program completion rate of 26.75 percent: 69 individuals had earned at least one credential, including 16 certificates and 60 associate degrees; seven students earned more than one credential. Ten students completed the Michigan Transfer Agreement and moved on to four‑year universities, and 137 recipients remained actively enrolled at GRCC.

Cameron Buck, dean of the GRCC Lakeshore campus, said the grant "has significantly reduced financial burdens for reconnect students and opened doors that might have otherwise remained closed." Morris shared brief student anecdotes, including one who said the award made it possible to afford basic necessities while attending and another who reported a $20,000 income increase after changing careers because of the education.

During questions, Commissioner Rohde confirmed the 258 award count and noted that, by her calculation, about $478,000 of the grant was paid directly to students based on the average award figure Morris provided; Morris agreed that the figure was "fairly accurate." Commissioners also asked whether the navigator position would continue; Morris said GRCC had identified budget proposals to convert the role to a full-time Lakeshore Campus position but that current funding included only contingency funds and the duration was not certain.

The presentation concluded with committee members thanking GRCC for the report and for stewardship of county ARPA funds. No committee action was required on the report itself.