The state’s popular Michigan Reconnect program offering free in-district tuition to eligible students age 25 and older without a degree is expanding its eligibility requirements to allow applicants ages 21 to 24 to apply for the program.
The updated guidelines, announced today, are effective immediately for Michigan students, including current KCC students. More information, including a link to the Michigan Reconnect application, is available on the KCC website at kellogg.edu/reconnect.
In February 2021, the state’s Michigan Reconnect program began providing free in-district community college tuition to eligible students age 25 and older without a college degree. Since that time, more than 2,170 students have taken advantage of the program to further their education at KCC, including 778 currently enrolled in the Fall 2023 semester.
KCC estimates that more than 500 additional students taking classes this fall could benefit from the new Michigan Reconnect expansion. Current students can apply now and, if accepted, will be reimbursed by the state for the relevant costs associated with their current classes.
Nikki Jewell, dean of Enrollment Services and Financial Aid at KCC, said the College is thrilled to announce the expansion of the Michigan Reconnect program to include eligible students aged 21 to 24.
“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to providing accessible education and opportunities to learners of all ages,” Jewell said. “This expansion will open doors for even more individuals to pursue their dreams and career aspirations.”
The program covers the cost of tuition up to the in-district rate per credit hour, as well as the cost of mandatory fees for eligible students to pursue select associate degree or certificate programs at any public community college in Michigan.
For the Fall 2023 semester at KCC, that’s a total savings of $158.25 per credit hour. With most degrees consisting of 60 credit hours or more, the program saves students several thousands of dollars over the course of their degree.
Students who reside outside of KCC’s tax district can receive Michigan Reconnect benefits at KCC, but they would be responsible for paying the difference between the in-district rate and out-of-district rate. Using Michigan Reconnect, the standard out-of-district tuition rate of $239.50 per credit hour would drop to $81.25, representing a 66% rate reduction.
Eligible students must:
- Be at least 21 years old when they apply
- Have lived in Michigan for a year or more
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s)
The Michigan Reconnect expansion is temporary, and applications at this time are only anticipated to be open until November 2024.
For more information, including answers to frequently asked questions about the program, visit the state’s Michigan Reconnect web page at michigan.gov/reconnect/community-college.
More information about using Michigan Reconnect funds at KCC is available on the KCC website at kellogg.edu/reconnect.
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.