Great Lakes Wire

A recent $6 million bipartisan investment will aid first time college students and adults going back to school.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II highlighted the investment July 14 at Washtenaw Community College, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

Washtenaw Community College (WCC) President, Dr. Rose Bellanca, said the initiative will help students overcome obstacles.

“Michigan Reconnect is an important key to helping community colleges like WCC attract, train and graduate students for the high-paying and high-demand jobs that will drive Michigan’s future,” Bellanca said in the release. “We are a proud partner in that effort.”

The funding will support people who are enrolled in the Michigan Reconnect or Futures for Frontliners programs, the release stated. More than 2,000 participants in the reconnect program and more than 2,200 participants in the Futures for Frontliners program are students at WCC.

“Michigan Reconnect is helping tens of thousands of hardworking people take the first step toward a brighter future, and it is providing employers with the highly skilled workers they need to keep and grow their businesses throughout the state of Michigan,” Gilchrist said.

The $6 million investment will help community and tribal colleges provide free childcare, books, transportation, and internet access to help students pursue their education, the release stated. Institutions will be able to provide $550 per student each academic year.

“College is very difficult to do on your own and (it) just didn’t seem doable for me with two little kids to support,” WCC and Michigan Reconnect student, Carmen Samaniego said. “WCC and the Reconnect program are making a college education attainable for me. If you’re over 25, you can go to college for free. It sounds too good to be true, but it is true.”