September 4, 2024
Ask John Miedema about going back to college and you’ll get an earful.
“I love telling people I’m going to college for free,” said Miedema, 34, who’s using the Michigan Reconnect scholarship to cover tuition and fees at Grand Rapids Community College. “I’m living proof that it’s never too late to start over again.”
Since launching three years ago, Michigan Reconnect has helped more than 150,000 Michiganders like Miedema pursue the additional education that leads to rewarding careers and higher wages.
Originally only available to adults aged 25 and older without an associate degree or skills certificate, the state-funded program is now available for a limited time to students ages 21 to 24 who apply by Nov. 15, 2024.
Miedema, who works full-time at Michigan First Credit Union in Grand Rapids, knows that a college diploma is his best chance at career advancement. But post-high school attempts to study music at GRCC and aviation at Northwestern Michigan College didn’t go so well, he said.
After meeting last year with GRCC academic advisors, he realized he’s a much different person now than he was 15 years ago.
“When I was younger, I just wasn’t ready to make career decisions and do the work required to succeed in college,” Miedema said. “But GRCC gave me the help I needed to make a plan, enroll and start making my way toward an associate degree in business management.”
Flexible online courses have made it easier for him to study while also working 40 hours a week. Supportive professors and involved advisors made his first year at GRCC a success. He’s earned all A’s with only one pesky A-minus.
He’s always telling friends, coworkers and clients about Michigan Reconnect and his new start at college life. He even convinced his fiancé Ashlynn Kelley to take her last few classes at GRCC so she can apply to the Dental program.
“I know she’s very close to completing things and I’m just doing everything I can to support her,” Miedema said.
Between Michigan Reconnect and some financial assistance from his employer to cover books and fees, he no longer needs to worry about accumulating college debt and can instead focus on school. He understands earning his degree will take some time. But it’s more than that.
“It’s about working harder now so I can achieve my dreams later,” he said. “I want to prove to myself that I can do it.”
This story was reported by Beth McKenna.