LANSING – State Representative Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) today joined Michigan college students at a rally at the State Capitol to save the Michigan Promise Scholarship. The scholarship, which has made college affordable and accessible for nearly 100,000 Michigan families, is in danger of being eliminated due to budget cuts proposed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
"No business or family is going to want to relocate to a state – or even remain in a state –that is making it harder for students to go to college and further their education," Schmidt said. "That means no new businesses, no new jobs and our home-grown talent will be leaving Michigan for better opportunities in other states. Our residents deserve better. A leaner government is one thing, but we must make sure we create a budget that uses every taxpayer dollar wisely to revitalize our economy and move Michigan forward – not make careless cuts that hurt our residents and cause Michigan to fall farther behind."
The Michigan Promise Scholarship awards Michigan students with a total of $4,000 after they complete two years of community college, university or vocational training with a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher. Nearly 100,000 students rely on the Promise Scholarship every year. Today's rally included students from universities around the state, lawmakers and residents who understand how important education is to Michigan's future.
Schmidt is encouraging residents interested in receiving brief updates on the budget process to sign up for his e-newsletter by visiting his Web site, www.house.mi.gov/rschmidt.