Dear Friend,?

Michigan must be a state where every kid in every district feels safe and supported in school. We have made historic, bipartisan investments in our students over the last four years, and we are only going up from here. We have enacted four record education budgets, closed the funding gap between schools, expanded on-campus mental health resources, funded campus safety, and invested in our current and future educators.?

With these investments and my budget for next school year, I know we can set our kids up for a lifetime of success. We can help educators do what they do best?support, inspire, and teach our kids. We can build a Michigan where everyone gets a great public education from pre-k through postsecondary. Our future is bright and looking brighter!?

Sincerely,

Today, we honor the early learning professionals who spend their days caring for and educating our youngest Michiganders. That?s why I declared April 21, 2023, as Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Professionals Day. These professionals lay the foundation for our youngest Michiganders to grow and develop throughout their lives. That?s why we are working together to fund and expand high-quality, affordable early learning and child care.??

In my recent budget proposal, I included funding that supports early childhood educators. It includes funding for assessing the needs of the early childhood workforce, expanding pathways to recruit more early childhood educators. In addition, the Child Care Educators Tax Credit would provide up to $3,000 for childcare and preschool teachers.?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline is approaching soon. The deadline is May 1, 2023 to be given priority consideration for some Michigan financial aid programs. Filling out your FAFSA can save you thousands of dollars a year off the cost of community, private, or public college. You can unlock grants, scholarships, and other assistance to put you on the path to higher education right here in Michigan.??

One of the new ways you can save money is the?Michigan Achievement Scholarship, a bipartisan scholarship we established last year to lower the cost of community, private, or public college by thousands of dollars a year?up to $27,500 over 5 years?for the majority of graduating seniors. All you need to do to qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship is fill out your FAFSA?that's it. You are probably eligible for more financial aid than you realize, and I encourage you to fill out your FAFSA ASAP!?