Dear Neighbor, It is my honor to serve as your State Senator and represent the interests of Kalamazoo County and Antwerp Township in the Michigan Legislature. I continue to have the privilege to serve as both the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Universities and Community Colleges as well as the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where I have worked hard to bolster K-12 and higher education funding.<\/p>\n
Michigan is home to many excellent universities, community colleges, and skill certificate programs. Whether you have recently graduated from high school or are seeking to improve your skills in a specific field, I hope that this newsletter offers valuable information about the abundant educational opportunities available within our state.<\/p>\n
As always, if I can be of assistance to you at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by email at SenSMcCann@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at (517) 373-5100. Visit SenSeanMcCann.com to stay updated on my legislation and events.<\/p>\n
Working for you,<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mccann\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/02\/mccannsignature.png” alt=”Senator McCann Signature” title_text=”mccannsignature” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Sean McCann I am proud to have worked with Governor Whitmer and my colleagues in the Michigan Legislature to expand opportunities for higher education in our great state. Our goal: Increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 51.8% to 60% by 2030.<\/p>\n Our \u201c60 by 30\u201d plan seeks to build a better Michigan in three ways:<\/p>\n By prioritizing Michigan students and supporting their ability to grow in their skillsets and higher education journey, we can move Michigan forward \u2014 fueling the workforce, boosting incomes, and ensuring all have the opportunity to succeed.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] In the 2025 state budget, my work as the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Universities and Community Colleges was instrumental in securing $330 million for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, a bipartisan scholarship program that helps lower the cost of community, private, or public college by thousands of dollars a year for most graduating seniors statewide.<\/p>\n I\u2019m also proud to have helped champion the Community College Guarantee, a new program offering free community college to all Michigan high school graduates by helping cover tuition costs while they work toward an associate degree or skilled certificate at a state-based community college. Read on to learn more about these opportunities.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mccann\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/08\/MDS_250319-8624.jpg” title_text=”MDS_250319-8624″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Vice Chair McCann and Chair Anthony serving on the Appopriations Committee<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] The Michigan Achievement Scholarship helps recent high school graduates in our state access funds for continuing education. Eligible students could receive financial aid to attend a college or university or a career training program with the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship. Find the path that\u2019s right for you!<\/p>\n Community College Guarantee<\/strong> Public or Private University Career Training An education beyond high school unlocks many opportunities and Michigan Reconnect can help get you there. Michigan Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for you to attend your in-district community college tuition-free or offers a large tuition discount if you attend an out-of-district community college. To be eligible, you must:<\/p>\n Additional Student Aid Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n The MI Future Educator Stipend<\/strong> provides $9,600 to our future educators who are participating in their required student teaching semester. Students must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to be eligible.<\/p>\n The MI Future Educator Fellowship<\/strong> offers a $10,000 scholarship to up to 2,500 future educators every year who are admitted and enrolled in an EPP approved by the Michigan Dept. of Education.<\/p>\n The Fostering Futures Scholarship<\/strong> provides scholarships to students who have experienced foster care in Michiganon or after the age of 13. Students must also demonstrate financial need to qualify.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>State Senator, District 19
SenSeanMcCann.com<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mccann\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-20-153044.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2025-08-20 153044″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” force_fullwidth=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
Looking to Advance your Education? Michigan has got your back!<\/h2>\n
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Championing Higher Education Investments in the Michigan Legislature<\/h4>\n
If you\u2019re interested in earning a skill certificate, associate degree, or starting at a community college and transferring to a university, then the Community College Guarantee could be a great fit for you.<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong><\/strong>Interested in earning a bachelor\u2019s degree? Then be sure to check out the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Those who qualify could receive up to $27,500 to attend a Michigan public university, private college or university, or enroll in a four-year degree program at a Michigan community college. That\u2019s up to $5,500 per year for up to five years!<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>If you\u2019re seeking to develop your skills in a career training program, then the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship might be what you\u2019re looking for. Those who qualify could receive up to $2,000 per year for up to two years to earn an industry-recognized certificate for a faster track to a high-paying career.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/mccann\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-20-155441.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2025-08-20 155441″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
(associate or bachelor\u2019s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]