GVSU is following some Michigan universities by offering savings to students in six Michigan counties. The program covers tuition and class fees, but not other attendance expenses that can still prove steep for some families.
Many residents in northern, rural and more low-income regions do not qualify for free tuition because they’re not in “community college districts.” The state can close the gap with another $7.5 million.
More than 120,000 essential workers signed up for free community college tuition through the Futures for Frontliners program. The state expects to launch a similar program soon for the roughly 3 million Michigan adults over age 25 who lack a college degree.
COVID-19 cases are dropping statewide, but at Michigan’s two biggest universities, new coronavirus concerns have led to campus clampdowns on gatherings.
Channeling the grit of the students they serve, Michigan’s community colleges are fighting to stay open amid a pandemic that has upended postsecondary education.
To try to head off another surge of coronavirus cases, U-M is encouraging students to stay in their hometowns next semester. The request comes as cases are skyrocketing in Michigan and nationwide.
There are outbreaks in 99 Michigan school buildings, and more than 4,400 cases on college campuses. Still, there were signs the spread was slowing or receding in the past week.
Saying coronavirus cases are the result of off-campus partying rather than classroom interaction, MSU is moving aggressively to increase in-person classes and on-campus housing beginning in January.
In issuing the order, which runs until Election Day, local health and university officials are trying to rein in student social gatherings in an effort to flatten a spike in coronavirus cases. But, hey, football games will go on.
Michigan’s public universities and community colleges report thousands fewer college freshmen, echoing national trends. Studies show that many students who do not go directly to college never enroll.
College football is back. Game Day celebrations, not so much. Michigan State University’s president is discouraging fans from gathering to watch the opening game.
Cases on college campuses continue to rise, but the good news is that K-12 schools continue to have few COVID-19 infections. Parents also can now get faster disclosure of coronavirus cases in their local schools.
The administration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is moving quickly to reinstate a school coronavirus reporting mandate that was struck down Friday by the state’s high court.
The number of K-12 schools with coronavirus outbreaks jumped from 28 to 46 schools in just a week. And there are now over 3,800 confirmed cases at colleges and universities across Michigan, numbers that are likely an undercount.
