Options for free-of-charge college, including locally at SVSU and Delta, are helping Saginaw Promise fulfill its mission of making higher education available for anyone who is willing to make the effort, regardless of economic circumstances.
Director Deborah Sanchez says all support is welcome.
“Money is freed up for other expenses. like housing and transportation,” she notes.
At Saginaw Valley State, a long-time selling point has been the lowest tuition among Michigan’s four-year public universities. Now, in addition, SVSU advertises, “New for incoming freshmen in fall 2024, guaranteed scholarships for 3.0+ GPA.”
The Cardinal Commitment states: “Many incoming freshmen at SVSU have their entire tuition paid for by scholarships and grants that never have to be repaid. (This) assures qualifying first-time-in-college students that SVSU will help provide additional funding if their basic tuition costs exceed their grants and scholarships.”
Anyone seeking an estimate may visit svsu.edu/costquiz. For overall info, see svsu.edu/cardinalcommittment.
At Delta, the marketing moniker for decades has been that junior college expenses are far lower than at the four-year schools. Now, in addition, Delta pitches “Michigan Reconnect” with free tuition for pupils ages 21 and older.
A brochure states: “Sometimes life gets in the way of a dream. Work, kids, military, money, health issues. But it’s never too late.”
The previous age standard was 25 or older, and advocates aim to one day make two-year community colleges tuition-free for all.
To learn more, visit Michigan.gov/Reconnect.
Saginaw Promise has awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarship aid to 695 pupils since its creation in 2012. This year’s deadline is Feb. 9. Check saginawfoundation.org/site/scholarships/.
