Grand Rapids Reporter

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) recently revealed a scholarship that will help mitigate the cost of tuition for future teachers.

Education students can apply for a $10,000 scholarship, according to a press release from the governor's office. Student-teachers are eligible for a $9,600 stipend per semester.

State officials hope they can find and retain more qualified teachers by helping future educators with tuition, the press release noted. A bipartisan education budget led to the establishment of the scholarships and stipends. The budget also included "the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history and record investments in school infrastructure, mental health, and school safety."

"The $10,000 Mi Future Educator Fellowships and the $9,600 student-teacher stipends funded through bipartisan legislation is [sic] a game changer for the teacher candidates enrolled in Northern Michigan University's educator preparation program and the schools that will employ them," Joe Lubig, associate dean for teacher education at Northern Michigan University (NMU), said in the press release. "Through this legislation, our elected leaders have communicated to every educator in our state that they are valued and that there is a statewide community supporting their professional growth and development.

"The $9,600 student-teacher stipends will alleviate financial stress for our NMU student-teacher interns so they can focus their attention on the needs of the children and young adults they teach over the course of their final semester. The $10,000 fellowships, available to each teacher candidate for three years for a total of up to $30,000, will allow our future teachers and NMU to increase retention and completion rates, allowing us to get more qualified educators into classrooms."

Future teachers who receive a $10,000 scholarship must commit to teaching in a Michigan classroom for at least three years after graduation, according to the press release.

"I am excited to announce that applications for $10,000 MI Future Educator Fellowships and $9,600-a-semester MI Future Educator Stipends are officially open," Whitmer said in the press release. "As a mom, I know how important it is for every classroom to have a qualified teacher, and I am proud that we worked across the aisle to establish these fellowships and stipends. I urge every eligible Michigander to apply so we can strengthen our teacher pipeline and ensure every kid in every district has excellent educators."

Students must be a Michigan resident, earn at least a 3.0 GPA, and be working toward their first teacher certification in order to be eligible for the scholarship, the press release noted.

"This program sends a powerful message to Michiganders that the state is investing in education and educators and will continue to do what it takes to ensure that every classroom has a well-prepared and qualified educator," Elizabeth Birr Moje, dean at the University of Michigan School of Education, said in the press release. "This bipartisan education budget recognizes that Michigan can improve education opportunity for all children and youth by appropriately developing our teaching force.

"With these resources, the state is reducing financial barriers to high-quality training, degree completion, and licensure through robust educator preparation programs. I am proud of our state leaders and legislators for recognizing that the single most important factor in children’s learning is access to a well-prepared teacher. I look forward to partnering with the state to recruit, sustain, and retain both new professionals and the highly skilled and dedicated teachers already in the profession."