LANSING – State Representative Andy Neumann (D-Alpena) today threw his support behind Michigan college students who held 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 State Senate.
"We must encourage our kids to stay in school and pursue the type of education that will make them strong competitors for the good-paying jobs of the 21st century," Neumann said. "The Michigan Promise Scholarship helps make college affordable for families who might not otherwise be able to send their kids to one of Michigan's top-notch colleges. The key to turning our state's economy around is creating the best-educated workforce possible to attract jobs and make Michigan a place where people want to live, work, do business and raise a family."
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.