LANSING, Mich. — Michigan adults ages 21 to 24 can now apply for Michigan Reconnect, expanding the state’s tuition-free community college and skills certificate program to thousands of residents who were previously too young to qualify.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the expanded eligibility Wednesday, Aug. 26. The program had generally been available to Michigan residents ages 25 and older who did not already hold a college degree. The new expansion lowers the minimum age to 21.
Michigan Reconnect pays in-district tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students pursuing an associate degree or an approved skills certificate at a public community college or Tribal college. Students who attend a community college outside their district may be responsible for the difference between in-district and out-of-district tuition.
The change was supported by $25 million included in the state’s education budget. State officials said more than 250,000 Michiganders have applied for Reconnect since the program launched in 2021 and nearly 20,000 participants have graduated.
The expansion could be particularly significant for adults who entered the workforce after high school but now want additional credentials, as well as workers seeking training for higher-paying occupations. According to the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, Reconnect graduates earn a median wage more than $13,000 higher than they did before completing the program.
The initiative is also tied to Michigan’s “Sixty by 30” goal, which calls for 60% of working-age adults in the state to have a college degree or recognized skills credential by 2030.
For residents in the Great Lakes Bay Region and Flint, the expansion opens another pathway to programs offered through area community colleges. Students should confirm residency, program and tuition requirements directly with the participating college before enrolling.
Applicants must generally be Michigan residents, be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent and not already have a college degree. Other program requirements apply.
State officials are encouraging newly eligible residents to apply through the Michigan Reconnect program and complete any additional financial aid steps required by their college.
