This resolution urges the U.S. Department of Education to reject a proposed definition of "professional degree" that would exclude many health care education programs from federal student loan eligibility. It specifically targets programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, social work, and physician assistant studies - classified under CIP Code 51 - which would lose access to loans under the current proposal. The bill requests the Department instead adopt a definition based on required practice credentials, not program length or historical classification, to maintain consistent eligibility. This change aims to prevent worsening health care workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
HB 4958 modifies Michigan's National Guard Tuition Assistance Act to expand eligibility and adjust fund management. It allows Michigan National Guard members and their eligible family members (spouses or dependent children who graduated high school or turned 18) to use tuition benefits, requiring the adjutant general to approve applications based on fund availability. The bill sets a $15 million cap on the tuition assistance fund balance, with excess funds lapsing to the general fund or transferring to a separate benefits fund by 2025. It also clarifies that members who withdraw from courses without completing them must repay the fund unless deployment prevented completion.
HB 4643 modifies Michigan's 2020 law to protect college athletes' ability to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). It prohibits colleges from penalizing athletes for earning NIL compensation or affecting scholarship eligibility, and bans athletic associations (like the NCAA) from restricting NIL activities or punishing schools/athletes for them. The bill also prevents colleges from acting as NIL agents or taking commissions on such deals while allowing them to help athletes arrange NIL agreements. It clarifies that athletic scholarships remain separate from NIL compensation, meaning schools cannot reduce scholarships based on athletes' NIL earnings.
SB 541 creates the Michigan National Guard member benefit fund in the state treasury to support existing benefit programs for National Guard members. The fund receives deposits from any source, earns interest through state treasurer investments, and retains all money year-to-year without lapsing to the general fund. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the fund and can only use its money to implement the Michigan National Guard tuition assistance program (2014 PA 259) and the Michigan National Guard child care assistance act. This bill directly affects Michigan National Guard members by ensuring dedicated funding for their tuition and child care benefits through these established programs.
HB 4954 expands Michigan's survivor tuition grant program to include children and surviving spouses of medical examiners and medical examiner investigators who die in the line of duty. Currently, the program covers families of police officers and firefighters killed on duty; this bill adds medical examiners and their investigators to the eligible categories. The grant would cover tuition costs at Michigan's public colleges and universities for qualifying students meeting residency and academic requirements. The bill amends the existing "Police Officer's, Fire Fighter's, and Medical Examiner's Survivor Tuition Grant Act" to include these new recipients.
SB 233 lowers the age requirement for Michigan's Reconnect program from 25 to 21 years old. This change expands eligibility for last-dollar financial aid (covering remaining tuition costs after other aid) to adults aged 21 and older pursuing associate degrees or industry-recognized credentials. The bill amends Section 1 of the Michigan Reconnect Grant Act (2020 PA 84) to align with the program's goal of increasing the state's college degree and credential attainment rate for residents aged 25-64. It directly affects adult learners seeking postsecondary education who previously did not qualify due to age restrictions.
HB 4123 amends Michigan's Reconnect Grant Act to expand support for adult learners pursuing industry-recognized credentials. It requires eligible community colleges and career-training programs to implement corequisite academic support (taking college-level courses while receiving targeted help) instead of traditional remedial classes, and to report on student success strategies like credit for prior learning. The bill directly affects adult students enrolled in these programs and institutions receiving Reconnect Grants, including career-tech centers and apprenticeships offering stackable credentials. Key changes include expanding grant funding eligibility to cover non-degree certificate programs and mandating institutions to provide free academic support for students needing remediation. If passed, these changes would reshape how Michigan's community colleges and career programs support adult learners seeking job-ready skills.
SB 197 updates Michigan's tuition grant program for in-state students attending eligible nonprofit colleges. It modifies eligibility rules, including limiting undergraduate grants to 10 semesters (12 for 2020-2021 students), excluding theology programs, and preventing overlap with Michigan Achievement Scholarships. The program, administered by the Department of Lifelong Education, bases awards on family financial need using criteria from a 1964 state law, with grants covering tuition and fees up to the college's annual rate or financial need. Students with private scholarships covering full tuition are ineligible, while those with partial coverage may receive proportional grants.
SB 232 amends Michigan's Reconnect Grant program to expand access to financial aid for adult learners. It modifies eligibility requirements (setting a minimum age of 25, or 21 if funds allow before 2032) and adds a "reconnect short-term training program" offering skills scholarships of up to $1,500 for industry-recognized certificates or credentials. The bill directly affects Michigan residents aged 25+ (or 21+ with available funding) seeking associate degrees or occupational training who have not earned prior college degrees. Key mechanisms include streamlined application processes, mandatory federal aid filings, and a pathway to convert short-term training credits into associate degree coursework at community colleges.
SB 56 adds specific funding allocations to Michigan's School Aid Act for fiscal years 2024-2025. It appropriates $100 from the state school aid fund for public schools, $3.3 million from coronavirus recovery funds for community college academic catch-up programs (for fiscal year 2023-2024 only), and $100 from the general fund for higher education purposes. These provisions directly affect public schools, community colleges, and higher education institutions by providing targeted funding for educational programs. The bill also updates constitutional spending estimates for school aid and higher education funding totals for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
