Muskegon Sun

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo) recently passed in the Michigan Senate, providing more flexibility to Promise Zone Authorities.

In 2009, the Michigan Promise Zone Authority Act established “Promise Zones” in Michigan’s economically distressed communities to create a pathway for students to attain a college degree tuition-free, according to the Michigan Promise Zones Association (MPZA). The act provides for 15 zones, which include communities in Detroit, Lansing and two counties in Bumstead’s district, Muskegon and Newaygo.

“These reforms would allow Promise Zone Authorities to make decisions that will benefit the individual needs of students within that zone,” said Bumstead, according to 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.”

Sen. Jon Bumstead | #MiSenateGOP

Through a public-private partnership, the MPZA provides scholarships to students to cover tuition and the cost of “qualified educational expenses,” which include books, supplies and equipment required for courses. The federal Pell Grant and other need-based aid, private donations and revenues from the state tax capture mechanism provide the MPZA’s main sources of funding, according to MiSenateGOP.

As the law stands currently, covering those qualified educational expenses is not optional. Senate Bill 1052 would adjust the definition of a “qualified educational expense” and allow Promise Zone Authorities more discretionary powers to decide whether to cover those expenses.

“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.”