LANSING, Mich. — This afternoon, State Budget Director Jen Flood and Deputy State Budget Director Kyle Guerrant presented Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget to a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees.
Statement from MCAN Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss:
"Through her two terms, Gov. Whitmer has consistently pushed for increased investments in education, and MCAN thanks her for supporting Michigan’s students at both the K-12 and postsecondary levels. This budget proposal raises the K-12 per pupil allowance and weighted foundation payments, helping to ensure students are ready to succeed in higher education. Additionally, funding allocated for FAFSA completion, early middle college programs, and dual enrollment will help more high school students earn college credits and access financial aid, dramatically reducing barriers to postsecondary education and moving us closer to Michigan’s Sixty by 30 attainment goal.
We know college affordability is a large barrier for students and families, and we are encouraged to see additional funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Michigan Reconnect, including funds specifically earmarked to expand Reconnect eligibility to students 21 and up. State support for public universities and community colleges remains flat from this year’s level, but MCAN is optimistic that through the budget negotiation process we can find ways to invest in these crucial institutions that are putting tens of thousands of graduating students into Michigan’s workforce each year.
Similarly, MCAN’s appropriation is recommended at $3 million. We look forward to working with senators and representatives to show the importance of our statewide network’s work and advocate for an increase to $5 million in support of college access and success efforts.
This is the final budget proposal of Governor Whitmer’s tenure, and MCAN is thankful for her leadership and commitment to building a strong economy through talent development and postsecondary attainment. The past seven years have been the most consequential for college access and affordability in the state’s history. Working with her bipartisan partners in the legislature, the state has made changes to ensure college degrees and certificates are now within every Michigander’s reach — including those who have been traditionally locked out of higher education. We look forward to continuing this momentum toward our Sixty by 30 goal by fighting for every student to reach their educational and career goals.”
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, State Budget Director Jen Flood and Deputy State Budget Director Kyle Guerrant presented Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget to a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees.