One hundred Michigan children will each benefit from $15,000 in prepaid tuition. | Governor Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
One hundred Michigan children will each benefit from $15,000 in prepaid tuition. | Governor Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced that $1.5 million in prize money will be given away to celebrate Michigan Education Trust’s (MET) 35-year anniversary.
Citizens of the state can enter to win one of 100 $15,000 prepaid tuition rewards, a press release from the governor’s office said.
“This life-changing giveaway is an awesome way to celebrate 35 years of helping Michigan families save for higher education,” Whitmer said in the release. “It will help more students attain the education and skills they will need to achieve their career goals and bring us closer to meeting our goal of 60% of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.”
Whitmer noted that this would not be possible without the vision of former Gov. Jim Blanchard. She also encouraged families to consider the MET program.
Blanchard, who joined Whitmer in the announcement, proposed the MET plan while in office in 1986, and he signed it into law later that year.
“A lot has changed over the past 35 years, but one thing still holds true today — a family’s desire to help put their children on the path to a bright and successful future,” Blanchard said in the release. “Back then, parents and grandparents didn’t have a lot of options to save for a child’s higher education. We created MET, and it has been a key that has helped unlock opportunities for tens of thousands of Michiganders to receive the education, training and skills that lead to better jobs, social mobility and economic security. I’m proud of the lasting impact MET has had on so many.”
Other state officials on hand for the announcement at Riddle Elementary School in Lansing included State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks, former state Sen. William Sederburg, Lansing School District Superintendent Ben Shuldiner, along with members of the community.
“The idea behind the giveaway is to help make 100 dreams come true by reaching more families and helping more children achieve success through higher education,” Eubanks, who also serves on the MET Board, said in the release. “We are excited to shine a $1.5 million spotlight on MET and show parents, grandparents and others how it’s a safe, secure and flexible way to make sure their loved ones meet their future education and career goals.”
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