Those counties account for about 40 percent of Grand Valley students, with 47 percent of homes in those counties having household income under the $50,000 threshold for the tuition assistance.
While limited in geography and income level, the Grand Valley Pledge represents another step in escalating efforts to make college more affordable in Michigan.
Just last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled a free community college program for residents ages 25 and older. And in recent years, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University unveiled programs offering free tuition for some students.
B. Donta Truss, vice president for enrollment development and educational outreach at Grand Valley, said the university hopes to increase the number of low-income students who enroll by making the school more affordable.
Grand Valley State University has revealed a new program, Grand Valley Pledge, giving qualifying students residing in six counties free tuition for all four years.
Michigan Executive Office of the Governor
LANSING Today, the Whitmer Administration announced promotions and new staff hires within the Governor’s Communications Office and Constituent Services Department.
Bobby Leddy, who previously served as the governor’s deputy press secretary, has been promoted to press secretary. Chelsea Lewis Parisio, who served as deputy press secretary, will take on a greater leadership role on the press team as chief deputy press secretary. New to the team are Samantha Kennedy, who will serve as deputy press secretary, and Chaitanya Karve who will serve as speechwriter. Within the Constituent Services Department, Rachel Plawecki has been promoted to serve as Director of Constituent Services and Ed Dichoza has been promoted to serve as Deputy Director of Constituent Services.
Local restaurants and bars are putting their best foot forward after they were permitted to open for indoor dining by The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Monday, Feb. 1. While many are ready to be back in restaurants there are still heavy restrictions that need to be followed.
Under the newest order implemented on Feb. 1, restaurants and bars will have to operate at 25 percent capacity, groups will be separated by at least 6 feet, masks must be worn unless eating or drinking, there can be no more than six people at a table and closing time must be before 10 p.m.