Michigan State University on Monday announced a new program that will cover the full cost of tuition for high school graduates whose families make $65,000 or less per year.

Mott Community College has been awarded a $156,000 grant by the Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Sixty by 30, Global Detroit and the Michigan College Access Network to implement a new initiative called Pathways to Success.

A Senate panel on Wednesday discussed two bills that would make modifications to the Promise Zone Authority Act, including new requirements for board members and changes to make on-campus room and board a qualified expense.

State officials, educators, and students gathered at Lansing Community College to kick off the expansion of the Michigan Reconnect Program, which originally welcomed students ages 25 and up, now expanding to students aged 21 to 24.

Michigan already has one of the worst student-to-counselor ratios in the nation, ranking 48th in the country with an average of one counselor for every 615 students, according to data from the 2020-21 school year.

Offered in collaboration with the San Diego State University Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment, this two-year program provides a select group of Michigan school counselors with mentorship and training rooted in leadership and advocacy.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) Office of Sixty by 30, Global Detroit, and Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) awarded a total of $1.5 million in Student and Immigrant Success Grants to 12 colleges in Michigan.

Tess O’Neal, an AmeriCorps member serving with the AdviseMI initiative in Ludington High School and a graduate of the school, said that it’s a “team effort” to provide information about financial aid opportunities.

Sen. Darrin Camilleri, D-Trenton, is sponsoring Senate Bill 463, which would make filling out the FAFSA (or an opt-out form) a high school graduation requirement in Michigan starting with the 2024-2025 school year.

Beecher High School is one of eleven high schools in the TV5 area participating in AdviseMI for this school year. Funding for the program comes from AmeriCorps.