LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The state of Michigan has announced nearly $3 million to help universities create new resources that improve student retention.
The Office for Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) was created to help more Michiganders pursue their dream of getting a college degree and a job they can be excited about. Michelle Richard, the Deputy Director for Higher Education said new funding is helping them do just that.
MiLEAP is granting over $500,000 in College Success Quick Start funding to 10 universities.
In total, nearly $3 million including a $1 million investment to Michigan State University to support thousands more Michiganders in transferring from community college to complete their bachelor’s degree. Alongside MSU, the Diploma Equity Project and Schoolcraft College have also been awarded funding to implement practices that empower student success.
“These college success grants are really making investments in our colleges and universities all across the state to help them be ready to be able to support students,” Richard said. “Our student population is always changing and we have to continually ask students what they need and look at what’s being offered on campuses.”
Each school will receive between $50,000 and $75,000 to help conduct internal assessments to find out what programs are helping students most, where the gaps are, and what can be done to further student success.
Richard said the money will help universities look at addressing things like academic advising, financial support for books and supplies, housing costs and availability, and childcare. All to create more support and help get students get to the graduation stage.
“How can we look at what institutions are already doing to support students and how can we help fill in some of the gaps that we know exist for the students who are on campus today?” Richard said. “It’s really about how can we make sure that colleges are as supportive as possible so that when students make that really brave decision to go to school, they have all the support they need once they’re there. We want every single person across this state to be able to envision a bright future for themselves and for their families.”
Alongside the Michigan Achievement and Reconnect scholarships, the funding is helping the state meet education goals set by Governor Whitmer to have 60% of Michigan residents obtain a college degree or skills certificate by 2030.
