You Could Get Your Associate's Degree Free With MI Reconnect

Yesterday Governor Whitmer joined Republican and Democratic Legislators while announcing a new program throughout the state that will help Michiganders who are 25 or older, who are without a college degree, earn a “tuition-free associates degree or skill certificate. The program is called the Michigan Reconnect program and $30 million has been allocated to helping adults get more education and a better paying job.

“All Michiganders deserve a pathway to a good-paying job, whether they choose to pursue a college degree, technical certificate, or an apprenticeship,” Gov. Whitmer said during a virtual news conference. “Michigan Reconnect will connect thousands of Michiganders to good-paying jobs and connect businesses with the talent they need to thrive in their communities. I’m proud of the hard work that has gone into creating this historic new opportunity and look forward to continuing bipartisan work with lawmakers toward our goal of ensuring 60% of Michiganders will have a postsecondary degree by 2030.”

The application process is now live at Michigan.gov/reconnect and can be done both on a computer or mobile device and only takes about 5 minutes. If selected, Michigan Reconnect will cover the cost of tuition for an associate's degree or skill certificate at their local community college. The program is also available to those who are eligible and already in a local community college. In that case, it will do at the remaining balance or tuition and fees after financial assistance is applied for.

It’s not just community college either, the Michigan Reconnect program will also help you cover the cost of tuition at a private training school, with over 70 institutions on the approved list and 120 programs offered in high-demand industries, including IT, construction, business management, healthcare, and manufacturing.

If you’re interested in taking advantage of Michigan Reconnect, here are the eligibility requirements:

Be at least 25 years old when you apply
Have lived in Michigan for a year or more
Have a high school diploma
Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s)

You can get more info and sign up at Michigan.gov/reconnect