Since I took office, I’m proud that we’ve lowered costs and expanded educational opportunities for all Michiganders.





*April 25, 2025*



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Dear Friend,

Since I took office, I’m proud that we’ve lowered costs and expanded educational opportunities for all Michiganders.


* Last year, we delivered on the *Community College Guarantee*, offering every high school graduate the chance to earn a degree or certificate for free at their local community college. More than *18,000 *use it to attend for free today.
* In 2022, we created the bipartisan *Michigan Achievement Scholarship*, which saves most students thousands of dollars as they pursue their degrees. More than *60,000 *use it today.
* And back in 2021, we launched *Michigan Reconnect*, a bipartisan program offering anyone 25 and older a tuition-free associate’s degree or skills training certificate. More than *66,000 *have enrolled.

Right now, however, women are outnumbering men at community colleges, universities, and most of all, in Michigan Reconnect, where enrollment is 2-1, women to men. Men are also falling behind their fathers and grandfathers economically and in homeownership. We’ve taken action to build great programs to lift everyone up, but we need to do a better job of getting more young men signed up. We must do more to support our young men because we all do better when we "all" do better.

This is an issue a lot of people didn’t expect me to focus on. I am—and always will be—a strong supporter of women’s rights and freedoms. But that won’t stop me from caring about and fighting for our men too. I hear about this issue most from moms who are worried about their sons falling behind. I want every Michigander to succeed. We all do.

*That’s why, earlier this month, I signed an executive directive to put more young men on a path to learn more and earn more. *As I promised in my State of the State Address, the directive instructs state departments that run our higher education and skills programs to make an active effort to reach communities who are underrepresented in our state postsecondary programs, including young men.

Together, we'll help more Michiganders use programs like Reconnect so they can go to college, learn more skills, and start an in-demand, high-paying career.

*See how to save thousands on college or skills training below! *

Sincerely,

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Gretchen Whitmer

Governor






Executive Directive Expanding Access to College and Skills Training for Young Men in Michigan
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Nationally, men are falling behind in employment and education. Currently:


* Boys’ literacy rates are falling; girls read 100,000 more words than boys by the 4th grade.
* 45,000 fewer boys graduate high school every year compared to girls.
* Boys make up two-thirds of the bottom 10% of high school students and are far less likely to take AP or IB classes.
* 55.3% of women nationwide held an associate’s degree or higher, while only 44.3% of men had reached the same level of education.
* Most job growth has been in sectors where workers have degrees/training; undergraduate enrollment for men fell by 10.2% in 2021.

This executive directive [ [link removed] ] supports our work to make sure that every Michigander can get an education and pursue a career in our state. By directing the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to make an active effort to reach and inform men and other underrepresented communities of existing tuition-free opportunities, we are helping more young men get on a path to a good-paying career. 

This directive will support my administration’s work to lower costs and put more money back in the pockets of Michiganders—regardless of race, class, or gender.

Save Thousands on College or Skills Training from the State of Michigan

I know it’s hard to get ahead right now. That’s why no matter who you are, we want to help you learn more and earn more.

So, look at an apprenticeship, find a scholarship, or sign up for Reconnect. Get your education, debt-free, and build the life you deserve.


* Fill out your FAFSA [ [link removed] ] to take advantage of the Community College Guarantee [ [link removed] ], offering every graduating high school senior the opportunity to earn a skill certificate or degree at their local community college [ [link removed] ] tuition-free.
* Fill out your FAFSA [ [link removed] ] to save thousands at a Michigan college or university using the Michigan Achievement Scholarship [ [link removed] ]. Those who qualify could receive up to $27,500 to attend a Michigan public university, private college, or university, or enroll in a four-year degree program at a Michigan community college. That’s up to $5,500 per year for up to five years.
* Fill out your FAFSA [ [link removed] ] to save thousands on a skills training program using the Michigan Achievement Scholarship [ [link removed] ]. Those who qualify could receive up to $2,000 per year for up to two years to earn an industry-recognized certificate for a faster track to a high-paying career.
* Apply for Michigan Reconnect [ [link removed] ], a bipartisan program offering anyone 25 or older a tuition-free associate’s degree or skills training certificate.

For more info about scholarships and grants offered by the State of Michigan that you may be eligible for, visit Michigan.gov/mistudentaid [ [link removed] ].

As your governor, I’ll keep working with anyone to make sure that everyone can make it in Michigan.

Let’s get it done. 








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