The state's merit-based scholarship may be cut.
MARQUETTE -- Ninety-six thousand Michigan college students rely on the Michigan Promise Scholarship to pay for part of their tuition. The state's budget, due out on October 1, may cut the $140 million program.
"It's just another slap in the face to college students," said TJ Weber, a Northern Michigan University junior.
That's a pretty popular opinion, but it might not matter. Michigan currently faces a $2.8 billion budget deficit, and college students statewide are worried that their legislators are going to let them down.
"It's truly a non-partisan issue. It's a student issue. That's why we've involved College Democrats, College Republicans and our Student Government. We're all supportive of saving this scholarship," said Jason Morgan, President of the ASNMU.
The ASNMU is setting up a booth Thursday on campus, joining in on a statewide "Promise Day". Telephones at the booth will be connected to the voicemails of legislators voting on the higher education cuts. Students are encouraged to speak up in an effort to save their $4,000 scholarship.
"My message for the governor is students stood up for her when she was getting elected. We thought she was there for us. Now's her chance to stand up for us," TJ Weber said.
"She's done such a great job for students the past few years of her administration. Don't let us down now. Protect our scholarship. Protect students, and don't give in to those who want to cut our funding," Morgan stated.
Representatives want to find a way to keep the Michigan Promise. But right now, they're not saying where the $140 million will come from.
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