Lake Michigan College has announced the new LMC Promise, a way for anyone in district up to age 24 to earn an associate degree and then some, all free of tuition. LMC President Trevor Kubatzke tells WSJM News with the Reconnect Michigan program helping those age 25 and up go to college, this takes care of the rest.
“We’re excited to launch this new Promise program, which will help cover the gap between high school programs that get them free college and then of course Reconnect, which starts at age 25, so that 18 to 24 year old is kind of left out,” Kubatzke said.
A graduating high school student or someone not long out of high school can just apply to LMC the usual way, apply for student aid, and get the LMC Promise support as long as they don’t already have an associate degree or skilled trade certificate and come from a family with an income of less than $75,000. We asked Kubatzke how the program is possible.
“It is possible through a partnership of our wonderful donors to our foundation, who have built up endowments like the Winner’s Circle Auction that we’ve had for 30 years…our endowments that help fund scholarships. The college itself is taking on some of that to help students. So, it’s a good combination of existing dollars and endowments.”
Kubatzke says there’s enough in the endowment to fund the LMC Promise for several years, and moving forward, it will be grown through campaigns. A one year pilot tried by LMC last year was well received, and Kubatzke says they’re just going to continue it long term. Anyone looking for more information can go to LakeMichiganCollege.edu/Promise.
