Dec. 1, 2020, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The deadline to apply for free tuition through the state’s Futures for Frontliners program is at the end of this month, and Grand Rapids Community College is ready to assist applicants struggling to complete required federal financial aid forms.
More than 1,700 people have been accepted so far by the state to attend GRCC through the Futures for Frontliners program, which provides a tuition-free pathway to an associate degree or a technical certificate to those who worked in essential industries during the COVID-19 shutdown this spring.
More than 6,000 additional applications are under review by the state. Many of these applicants need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. Others may need to submit additional information to the state, such as employment verification.
GRCC has direct and easy connections with staff experts to answer questions about FAFSA and help frontliners start at GRCC. Contact GRCC through the Financial Aid hotline at (616) 234-4030. The Futures for Frontliners hotline is (616) 234-3344; email is futures4frontliners@grcc.edu; and text is (616) 404-4519.
“We don’t want anyone to miss this opportunity because they need assistance with the final steps to submit the FAFSA,” said Tina Hoxie, GRCC’s associate provost and dean of Student Affairs.
“Financial aid specialists can help finish the form, and answer any other questions about enrolling and how a GRCC education can help someone gain new skills and advance in their careers. Futures for Frontliners is perfect for students of all ages, helping them start working toward a degree or certificate or picking up where they might have left off.”
More than 85,000 people statewide have applied for the program, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Futures for Frontliners is part of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s goal of having 60% of working-age Michiganders earning a college degree or certificate by 2030.
The state application is available at Michigan.gov/frontliners, and the deadline to apply is Dec. 31.
Once accepted by the state, new students must apply to GRCC at grcc.edu/apply and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form.
Students would be eligible to begin attending during the winter semester, starting in January 2021.
The Futures for Frontliners program is for people who worked at least half-time in frontline jobs for 11 of the 13 weeks between April 1 and June 30 and who do not have a college degree.
Eligible frontline industry examples include – but are not limited to -- food and agriculture; healthcare and public health; critical manufacturing; communications and information technology, including news media; law enforcement, public safety, and first responders; public works; and transportation and logistics.
Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.