LANSING – State Representative Robert Jones (D-Kalamazoo) today praised Michigan college students who rallied 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.
"Creating the best-educated workforce possible is a crucial part of turning Michigan's economy around," Jones said. "That's something we can't do if break our promise to the thousands of Michigan students who want the chance to earn a college degree. We need to be giving our students every opportunity to succeed, not putting college further out of reach for Michigan families. We must do all we can to preserve the Promise Scholarship to prepare our students for the high-demand jobs of the 21st century economy."
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.
Jones 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/rjones.