October 2024: College Month

WHEREAS, according to Michigan's Hot 50 Job Outlook through 2032, for Michigan's high-demand, high-wage jobs, 92% will require formal education beyond high school and 84% will require a bachelor's degree or more; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan College Access Network uses the term "college" to refer to the attainment of valuable certificates and academic degrees beyond high school; and,

WHEREAS, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee offer an unprecedented opportunity for Michigan students, especially students from underrepresented populations and students from low-income backgrounds, to achieve better economic outcomes through affordable pathways to degrees and certificates; and,

WHEREAS, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — the only way to access the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Community College Guarantee, as well as other state financial aid, federal grants and loans, and institutional aid that can be instrumental in helping students pay for college — is available beginning in December; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan College Month provides dedicated time and space during the school day, in-person or virtually, to help ensure all high school seniors have the opportunity to apply to college and learn about financial aid opportunities with support from Michigan College Access Network, Local College Access Networks, school counselors, college advisers, and community leaders; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan College Access Network believes school counselors and college advisers are uniquely positioned to change the postsecondary trajectories for their students and lead the charge in ensuring they are socially, academically, logistically, and financially prepared for postsecondary education; and,

WHEREAS, during the month of October, all Michigan colleges and universities — many of which have removed application fees entirely or waived their fee for the month to improve accessibility — will accept the National Association for College Admission Counseling application fee waiver for those students who have demonstrated financial need to help ensure no student is deprived of the opportunity to pursue admission to the institution of their choice due to economic hardship; and,

WHEREAS over 177,000 Michiganders have applied for Michigan Reconnect, the largest effort in state history to ensure that adult residents without a college degree have an opportunity to earn an associate degree or certificate with free or deeply discounted tuition; and,

WHEREAS, improved postsecondary education access and success in our state is vital to workforce development and Michigan has set a Sixty by 30 goal that 60% of working-age adults in Michigan will have a certificate or college degree by 2030;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as College Month in Michigan.