Page 21 - Scene Magazine January 2024 4901

Education Scene
BY SIMON A. THALMANN KCC Marketing Director
The state’s popular Michigan Recon- nect program offering free in-district tui- tion to eligible students age 25 and older without a degree expanded its eligibility requirements this fall to allow applicants ages 21 to 24 to apply for the program.
as well as the cost of mandatory fees for eligible students to pursue select associ- ate degree or certificate programs at any public community college in Michigan.
Free tuition to KCC now available to eligible students 21 and older via Michigan Reconnect program.
More information about using Michi- gan Reconnect funds at KCC is available on the KCC website at kellogg.edu/ reconnect.
The updated guidelines are effective as of October for Michigan students, includ- ing current KCC students. More infor- mation, including a link to the Michigan Reconnect application, is available on the KCC website at kellogg.edu/reconnect.
For the Spring 2024 semester at KCC, that’s a total savings of $158.25 per credit hour. With most degrees consisting of 60 credit hours or more, the program saves students several thousands of dollars over the course of their degree.
KCC scholarships also available
In February 2021, the state’s Michigan Reconnect program began providing free in-district community college tuition to eligible students age 25 and older without a college degree.
Scholarship opportunities are avail- able for new, returning, and graduating/ transferring KCC students and include the following:
• Gold Key Scholarships and Board
Prospective students can apply to the program and, if accepted, start classes this spring tuition-free. Current students can apply now and, if eligible, could receive a disbursement from the state to assist with relevant costs associated with their class registration.
of Trustees Scholarships for graduat- ing high school students who plan on attending KCC
Nikki Jewell, dean of Enrollment Ser- vices and Financial Aid at KCC, said the College is thrilled to announce the expan- sion of the Michigan Reconnect program to include eligible students aged 21 to 24.
more
• Have a high school diploma or
graduating from KCC with an associ- ate degree who plan to transfer to an accredited college or university
“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to providing accessible education and opportunities to learners of all ages,” Jewell said. “This expansion will open doors for even more individuals to pursue their dreams and career aspirations.”
The Michigan Reconnect expansion is temporary, and applications at this time are only anticipated to be open until Novem- ber 15, 2024.
The program covers the cost of tuition up to the in-district rate per credit hour,
For more information, including an- swers to frequently asked questions about the program, visit the state’s Michigan Reconnect web page at michigan.gov/ reconnect/community-college.
Specific criteria and application guidelines for each scholarship program are available on the scholarship website at kellogg.edu/kccscholarships.
Students who reside outside of KCC’s tax district can receive Michigan Recon- nect benefits at KCC, but they would
be responsible for paying the difference between the in-district rate and out-of- district rate. Using Michigan Reconnect, the standard out-of-district tuition rate
of $239.50 per credit hour would drop to $81.25, representing a 66% rate reduction. Eligible students must:
• Be at least 21 years old when they apply • Have lived in Michigan for a year or
Another option for new, returning and graduating/transferring KCC students – Re- connect-eligible or no – to fund their educa- tion is via a KCC Foundation scholarship.
equivalent
• Have not yet completed a college degree
All Applications are due by 11:59pm, Friday, March 1.
(associate or bachelor’s)
The KCC Foundation awarded nearly 730 scholarships totaling more than $696,000 in 2023. Scholarship funds re- sulting from the current application period will be awarded for use in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
• Field of Study/General Scholarships
for new and returning KCC students • Transfer Scholarships for students
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