Governor Gretchen Whitmer was the keynote speaker at a Saginaw Promise luncheon Monday, June 10.

(photo by Michael Percha)

The luncheon celebrated the ten years the Promise legislation has been in effect for Saginaw schools. Saginaw Promise provides scholarships to Saginaw students who go on to two-year or four-year schools or who receive vocational training. $830,000 in scholarship money has been given out to 492 students since 2012. Since that time, Saginaw schools have seen graduation rates go up and drop out rates decrease.

Whitmer says the Promise program aligns with her educational plan for Michigan residents.

“The Michigan Opportunity Initiative will give every graduating senior the chance to pursue a debt-free community college opportunity or bring down the cost of a four-year degree. It works with Promise, because Promise programs are last dollar, and the MI Opportunity Initiative is first dollar.”

The MI Opportunity Initiative will provide scholarships for up to three years, 60 credits or an associates degree, which ever comes first.

Whitmer hopes to see the plan increase the number of Michigan adults with a post-secondary certificate or degree at 45 percent to 60 percent by 2030. She says it’s an attainable goal.

(photo by Michael Percha)

“We have to meet it because other states are moving faster than we are to get to more aggressive goals. If we get to 60 percent by 2030, we’re going to be in a really good position to make Michigan a high wage state, where businesses can thrive and full locate to. And more importantly, where our people can get ahead and take care of themselves and their families, and live a good life.”

Whitmer says Saginaw Promise can do much more to meet student’s needs if the price of higher education becomes more affordable.