LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – State officials say in the few weeks since they announced their Futures for Frontliners scholarship program, over 80,000 Michigan residents have signed up to receive free tuition to attend community college on their path to high-demand, higher-wage careers.
The Futures for Frontliners initiative was designed to reward essential workers and help Michigan increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 45% today to 60% by 2030.
The program, inspired by the GI Bill, which provided a college degree to those serving their country in World War II, is a $24 million investment funded by the Governor’s Education Emergency Relief (GEER) Fund, part of the CARES Act, which assists businesses and families from the impacts of COVID-19.
To date, 2,930 people in Kalamazoo County have applied for the program, 2,213 in Ottawa County, 1,178 in Calhoun County, 889 in Allegan County, 489 in St. Joseph County, and 309 in Branch County.
To take advantage of the Futures for Frontliners program, essential workers are encouraged to apply by December 31, and learn more about the program at www.Michigan.gov/Frontliners.
