Muskegon Sun

The Michigan Senate recently approved Sen. Jon Bumstead's (R-Newaygo) sponsored legislation that would provide more flexibility and increase access to student scholarships for students in Michigan’s Promise Zones, according to MiSenateGOP.

“These reforms would allow Promise Zone Authorities to make decisions that will benefit the individual needs of students within that zone,” Bumstead told MiSenateGOP. “I think we’ve found that, while being a simpler route, blanket policies simply don’t meet the unique needs of students in different areas of the state.”

The Michigan Promise Zone Authority Act provides scholarships to students who reside in and graduate from a high school located within a Promise Zone, which is a high-poverty community. The scholarships are meant to ease the financial burden to students seeking higher education.

Sen. Jon Bumstead | #MiSenateGOP

Michigan statute currently allows for 15 communities to be labeled as Promise Zones, which are funded by federal Pell Grants or other need-based aid, private contributions and state tax revenue.

The Michigan Promise Zone Authority Act currently covers the cost of books, supplies and equipment required for courses, on top of tuition, under the definition of “qualified educational expenses” for students.

Senate Bill 1052 would would modify what is considered a “qualified educational expense” to make the costs of books, supplies and other equipment optional and give Promise Zone Authorities the ability to choose whether to cover such expenses.

Bumstead says that the new legislation will benefit Muskegon and Newaygo County students.

“Current law includes mandates from Lansing that take away dollars that could be going toward giving more Muskegon and Newaygo County students tuition scholarships,” Bumstead told MiSenateGOP. “Giving each Promise Zone Authority the choice to include additional costs covered on top of tuition allows each zone to be more autonomous and effective in meeting the needs of students in their community.”

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.