LANSING, Mich.- Today, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) announced the launch of the Michigan Reconnect Short-Term Training Program, a new career training scholarship that saves students $1,500 as they gain skills needed to prepare for in-demand jobs.
The Reconnect Short-Term Training Program scholarship is backed by a $6 million investment through the state budget. Under the program, Michiganders age 21 and older who don’t yet have a college degree are eligible to receive up to $1,500 to attend an eligible career training program in Michigan.
“Every Michigander deserves the opportunity to pursue a degree or certificate to land a good-paying, in-demand job without breaking the bank,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The Michigan Reconnect Short-Term Training Program will lower costs by offering students up to $1,500 as they pursue a career in health care, technology, manufacturing, and so much more. Together, we will grow our economy by delivering on our promise to ensure every Michigander can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
Training providers were selected through a screening process in fall 2023 that considered criteria such as the industry type, duration of the training program, and graduates’ future earnings.
“The Michigan Reconnect Short-Terming Training Program is yet another path for Michiganders to get the skills they need to pursue rewarding careers in high-demand industries,” said Michelle Richard, acting director of MiLEAP. “This program will expand Michigan’s talent pipeline by enrolling 4,000 people in short-term training and help more businesses hire the skilled individuals they need to compete and grow.”
To apply, interested students must complete an online application at Michigan.gov/Reconnect. To qualify, students must submit an application by Dec. 15, 2024, and begin their career training program prior to Dec. 31, 2024.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Michigan Reconnect Short-Term Training Program, applicants must:
- Be at least 21 years of age prior to submitting the application.
- Be a Michigan resident for at least the immediately preceding year.
- Have graduated from high school with a diploma or a certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate and provide a copy to their training provider.
- Have not yet earned an associate or bachelor’s degree.
“The Michigan Reconnect Short-Term Training Program is another important mechanism to support individuals who want to pursue a career in health care,” said Michigan Health & Hospital Association CEO, Brian Peters. “Health care provides an opportunity for a fulfilling, well-paid career pathway ranging from patient care to cyber security to facility operations and more, and Michigan Reconnect Short-Term Training Program can help more Michiganders pursue these opportunities.”
Students should review the list of eligible career training programs at Michigan.gov/CareerTraining prior to filling out their application and will need to indicate their chosen career training provider in the application.
To learn more about how students can receive tuition assistance through Michigan Reconnect Short-Term Training Program visit Michigan.gov/Reconnect.
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