Michigan State University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., and Provost Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., today celebrated the passing of Senate Bill 842, which establishes the Michigan Achievement Scholarship program.
The bill, when signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, will make a significant investment in public colleges and universities, and improve access to an affordable higher education degree for Michigan residents.
“We appreciate and applaud Gov. Whitmer and the Legislature for this additional investment in higher education and creating a program that improves access to an affordable college degree for more Michiganders,” Stanley said. “An investment in our state’s public higher education institutions is a direct investment in the future prosperity of our state and its residents.”
Through the legislation, MSU is expected to receive $28 million, which will go directly to student financial aid starting in the 2023-24 academic year. In-state students are eligible for the award if they are part of the state’s high school graduating class of 2023 with expected family contributions of $25,000 or less.
“We are thrilled by the establishment of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Academic excellence and student success are the twin pillars of MSU’s academic mission,” said Woodruff. “This investment will provide much-needed aid for students, and we are grateful to the governor and Legislature for their commitment to public higher education for Michiganders.”
This additional state investment will build on MSU’s current $208 million allocation in student financial aid to support students most in need — an increase of $11.9 million over last year.