2006 House Bill 6302 / Public Act 478

Replace $2,500 Merit scholarship with $4,000 over two years

Introduced in the House

June 29, 2006

Introduced by Rep. Tupac Hunter (D-9)

To replace the Michigan merit award scholarship program, which provides a $2,500 college or vocational training scholarship to high school students who do well on the state assessment test, with a new scholarship program that gives $4,000 to students in installments. High school graduates who have received qualifying scores on the state's assessment test would receive $1,000 in their first year of post-secondary schooling, $1,000 in their second year, and $2,000 after two years if they have maintained a 2.5 grade point average (out of 4.0 points), and completed an associates degree program, a vocational education program, or half of the requirements for a bachelor's degree. This bill embodies the most recent proposal made by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on the issue.

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

Dec. 5, 2006

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 7, 2006

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details of the scholarship and changes its name.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 90 to 12 (details)

To replace the Michigan merit award scholarship program, which provides a $2,500 college or vocational training scholarship to high school students who do well on the state assessment test, and a $500 award to middle schoolers who do well on state tests, with a new "Michigan Promise Grant" that gives $4,000 to students in installments. High school graduates with qualifying scores on the state's assessment test would receive $1,000 in their first year of post-secondary schooling, $1,000 in their second year, and $2,000 after two years if they have maintained a 2.5 grade point average (out of 4.0 points), and completed an associates degree program, a vocational education program, or half of the requirements for a bachelor's degree. The first two installments would go to the school, and schools would have to return it to the state for students who fail to complete enrolled classes (drop out). The scholarship would not be available for students who attend out-of-state schools. The program would cost the state less in 2007 and 2008 due to the installment payments, but would add $64 million to the total cost beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 12, 2006

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Dec. 13, 2006

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Dec. 21, 2006