Some high school graduates in Michigan might get to go to college for free. A bill that’s on its way to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk would create new “Promise Zones” in the state.
Five new promise zones would be added to the ten zones the state already has. Promise Zones are communities that pay for high school graduates to go to college or university.
The community covers the tuition for the first two years. After that it gets some help in the form of a portion of the state’s education property tax.
Flint is one area that would apply to become a Promise Zone if the bill is passed. Flint Senator Jim Ananich is a bill sponsor.
“I think Flint in particular needs it because we just need some hope.”
He says it’s a small amount of money in the state budget. But it gives communities, like Flint, a big boost.
“We’ve seen in other communities it’s increased high school graduation, it’s increased completion of colleges, it’s increased property values, it’s increased people moving into the community. And if we can have any of those happen in our community that’ll be a positive.”
He says this will give the people of his city hope and a reason to stay after the water crisis.
“That if you stick around and you did nothing wrong before, you were harmed by your government, if you stick around that there’s gonna be some payback at the end of the day. And I think that’s a real positive.”
For the first two years, the community has to provide the money for tuition privately. After that, the zones get half of the growth in their community’s state education property taxes.