Michigan Economy Troubles Hit Michigan Students
Michigan’s budget decisions effect lower income brackets.
East Lansing, MI, November 16, 2009 --(PR.com)-- After a long debate over the Michigan Budget, legislators have chosen a budget that may be bad news for the hundreds of thousands of students that attend schools at Michigan; no Michigan Promise.
Earlier this year, in August, students found that their Michigan Promise Scholarship, a scholarship that rewards students who take the MME, would no longer be included in their financial aid packages. The students were informed that Michigan legislators had not made a decision on the budget, which could potentially finish the scholarship. For almost three months the students waited for Michigan to announce it’s budget. On Oct. 30th Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the $44.5 billion state budget, which did not include The Michigan Promise. The Promise was a state-sponsored scholarship signed Dec. 21, 2006, replacing the Michigan Merit Award and providing $4,000 to students attending at least a two-year institution.
“This just isn’t right to do this to what may be the future of Michigan’s economy,” said Carolyn Harper, an anthropology senior. “Michigan Students are going to be the future professionals that will help Michigan get out of this recession and by taking away our funding the state is eventually hurting themselves.”
To restore The Michigan Promise, Governor Jennifer Granholm has proposed that the money allocated for the Earned Income Tax Credit should redirected to fund the Promise Scholarship.
“We made this promise and we guaranteed it,” Granholm said Thursday during a conference call with college reporters. “It’s wrong that we took it away. This time, the legislature really blew it.”
The purpose of the Michigan EITC is to award qualified working class families with more money to supplement their federal tax refund.
“ I think that is disappointing that Michigan is targeting two low income brackets, students and working families,” said Marie White, a Michigan resident. “ The EITC is given to families who don’t make enough money and in this economic recession, it could increase their struggles.”
As of yet, no other decisions have been made on the future of higher education funding.
###
Earlier this year, in August, students found that their Michigan Promise Scholarship, a scholarship that rewards students who take the MME, would no longer be included in their financial aid packages. The students were informed that Michigan legislators had not made a decision on the budget, which could potentially finish the scholarship. For almost three months the students waited for Michigan to announce it’s budget. On Oct. 30th Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the $44.5 billion state budget, which did not include The Michigan Promise. The Promise was a state-sponsored scholarship signed Dec. 21, 2006, replacing the Michigan Merit Award and providing $4,000 to students attending at least a two-year institution.
“This just isn’t right to do this to what may be the future of Michigan’s economy,” said Carolyn Harper, an anthropology senior. “Michigan Students are going to be the future professionals that will help Michigan get out of this recession and by taking away our funding the state is eventually hurting themselves.”
To restore The Michigan Promise, Governor Jennifer Granholm has proposed that the money allocated for the Earned Income Tax Credit should redirected to fund the Promise Scholarship.
“We made this promise and we guaranteed it,” Granholm said Thursday during a conference call with college reporters. “It’s wrong that we took it away. This time, the legislature really blew it.”
The purpose of the Michigan EITC is to award qualified working class families with more money to supplement their federal tax refund.
“ I think that is disappointing that Michigan is targeting two low income brackets, students and working families,” said Marie White, a Michigan resident. “ The EITC is given to families who don’t make enough money and in this economic recession, it could increase their struggles.”
As of yet, no other decisions have been made on the future of higher education funding.
###
Contact
Michigan State Univeristy
Elena Berry
517-482-1152
Elena Berry
517-482-1152
Contact
Categories