Michigan has expanded its tuition-free college program to include adults ages 21–24, opening eligibility to thousands who were previously ineligible for the scholarship.
Michigan Reconnect, launched in 2021, helps adults without a college degree enroll in or return to school for little to no cost. Nearly 20,000 Michiganders have graduated from the program, with more than 250,000 having applied.
The expansion, made possible by a $25 million ongoing investment in the fiscal year 2027 education budget, lowers the eligibility age from 25 to 21. Students attending their local community college can enroll tuition-free, while those attending an out-of-district college receive substantial tuition assistance toward an associate degree or skills certificate.
According to the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, Reconnect graduates earn a median wage of over $13,000 more than their pre-Reconnect wages. Within two years after graduation, the median wage increase rises to $16,300 compared with pre-Reconnect wages, representing a 48 percent overall increase.
During a previous temporary expansion that ended in December 2024, nearly 35,000 adults ages 21–24 applied for the scholarship, with more than 18,600 enrolling in a community or Tribal college.
Michiganders can learn more and apply by visiting Michigan.gov/Reconnect, which takes about five minutes to complete.