Bipartisan, balanced budget supports students, continues free school meals, and guarantees a high-quality, public education from pre-K through community college 

LANSING, MI - On July 23, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the $23 billion education budget for fiscal year 2025 that continues record investments in education, from preschool to postsecondary, and supports students and educators. Highlights include:

- A guarantee to Michigan families of free, high-quality education beginning with pre-K
- A new record high for dollars into the classroom for the sixth year in a row
- Tuition guaranteed community college for every high school graduate
- Historic investment in teachers 

“This balanced education budget-my sixth-makes record-breaking investments to support our students, invest in our schools, and empower our educators,” said Governor Whitmer. “With access to free pre-K for all, record funding for students, free school meals, on-campus mental health resources, and tuition-free community college for every high school graduate, this budget will improve outcomes, lower costs, and strengthen our education system. Since I took office, I have been a strong advocate for lifelong public education, and this budget delivers on so many of the goals and policies I proposed in my State of the State address and executive budget recommendation. Let’s keep getting things done to make a real difference in our children’s lives so they are set up for a bright future right here in Michigan.”

“Every Michigan family deserves access to a great public education,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “I’m proud of how this school aid budget continues historic investments to make a difference for students, educators, and schools in communities across Michigan. It delivers on the Michigan Guarantee, lowering barriers so more people can get skills training and associate’s degrees tuition-free. It continues free school meals for all 1.4 million public school students and expands Meet Up and Eat Up programs so every kid can eat free during the summer. Governor Whitmer and I will keep standing tall so that every kid can be their best selves right here in Michigan.”

“Our ability to work together and collaborate - to put political gamesmanship aside - has resulted in a balanced budget that serves the people of Michigan,” said state Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “We’ve turned once-in-a-generation investments into sustained investments in both human infrastructure, such as education, workforce development, and social services, and physical infrastructure, including water systems and roads. We have delivered a budget that benefits everyone in Michigan.”

“This education budget proves that when we listen to our students, families and teachers, we can deliver smart, innovative investments that support every Michigan student’s education,” said state Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “From guaranteeing affordable college for every student to expanding Michigan’s pre-K program, it was an honor to work on a budget that uplifts our students every step of the way. As the future of our state’s workforce, our students do a lot for Michigan. Today, we’re giving back to them by putting their education first.”

“Providing excellent, equitable public education is the key ingredient for building stronger communities, a stronger Michigan, and a stronger society overall. It is important not just for producing talented professionals for the workforce, but creating compassionate, thoughtful neighbors and residents,” said state Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), “Having served as Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Pre-K-12 School Aid, and as a former teacher, I am proud to see the governor sign this school budget into law and look forward to continue fighting for Michigan’s students and teachers.”

“We’re continuing to invest in Michigan’s kids by putting more money into the classroom, increasing academic supports, and providing more equitable funding to meet the individual needs of every student in the state,” said state Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education. “We’re doing all we can to ensure every child, regardless of their background or ZIP code of their public school district, has the chance to sit in a classroom where their potential can be nurtured, their curiosity can be encouraged, and their dreams can be ignited.”

“This budget provides every Michigan child the guarantee of a free, high-quality education from preschool through community college-that’s a big deal,” said State Budget Director Jen Flood. “We’re laser focused on providing our kids a world class education while saving families money: from ensuring students get free breakfast and lunch at school to cutting the cost of a four-year degree by more than $25,000.”

A Better, More Affordable Education

K-12 Education - Helping Kids Learn

- For the sixth year in a row, this budget sets a new record high for investment in K-12 education, with an additional $600 million going into classrooms-the equivalent of more than $400 per pupil.
- $134 million, including $25 million in new funding, to continue historic investments for student mental health and school safety needs.
- $181 million to help students reach their full academic potential, including continuation of payments for literacy grants and literacy coaches.
- $200 million to continue providing universally-free breakfast and lunch to Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students, helping students focus on learning and saving families $850 per year.
- $130 million for continued expansion of free pre-K to every 4-year-old in Michigan-two years ahead of schedule-saving families $10,000 a year.
- $54 million to serve an estimated 5,300 additional children.
- $31 million to increase the full day per child allocations to $10,185.
- $25 million to open new classrooms in underserved areas.
- $18 million to continue higher payments for student transportation (total funding of $28 million).
- $2 million to provide marketing and outreach support to ensure families are aware of programming options in their area.
- $100 million in recognition of the crucial role high-quality teachers play in the success of their students.
- Continued support of the MI Future Educator Program, a tuition-free program for college students to become certified teachers and to provide stipend payments to student teachers.
- Funds to retain and develop existing teachers through mentorship programs.
- Continued support for payments to offset the cost of student loans for educators.
- $97 million in funding to support academically at-risk students (9% increase), English language learners (26% increase), career and technical education students (6% increase), and students in rural school districts (6% increase).
- $125 million to help rural districts with transportation costs-to put more dollars into the classroom.
- $75 million to support students and parents through before and after school programming. 

“This bipartisan budget includes historic investments to help Michiganders on their path to prosperity by expanding access to affordable childcare, improving early childhood education, and connecting more Michiganders with a postsecondary credential to help them achieve their career goals,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, Director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). “With the investments in this budget, MiLEAP will work with partners and communities across the state to make the Michigan Guarantee a reality for Michigan families.”  

“We’re glad to see that the K-12 budget for FY2025 continues the trend of making real investments in Michigan’s public education system by putting fairness and equity first,” said Terrence Martin, President of AFT Michigan. “The moves to expand Pre-K, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and free breakfast and lunch programs will help ensure that every child in Michigan can get a quality education regardless of their ZIP code. The budget’s MPSERS reductions will mean that K-12 educators can see more money in their pockets. By making substantial contributions towards the future of our students, teachers, and school support staff, Gov. Whitmer and the Legislature have once again proven to our union members that they have our backs.”

“We are grateful for Governor Whitmer’s leadership and are excited to see much needed investment and commitment to young children and their families to ensure access to high-quality early care and learning opportunities from birth through PreK,” said Alicia Guevara Warren, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC). “ECIC is looking forward to continuing our ongoing collaboration with partners, including the new state department, MiLEAP, to ensure that every family in Michigan can send their 4-year-old to a program that meets their needs.”

Higher Education & Workforce Development

- A 2.5% increase for university and community college operations to support higher education learning and to advance the Governor’s goal of 60% of working adults earning a degree or skills certificate by 2030.
- $30 million investment to increase funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, the state’s flagship scholarship program, providing a pathway to community college, tuition guaranteed.
- Expands the Michigan Achievement Scholarship with the Michigan Guarantee to ensure every Michigan high school graduate can receive an associate degree or skilled certificate tuition-free at a community college, saving more than 18,000 students up to $4,820 on tuition each year.
- Equivalent of up to $27,500 toward the cost of attendance for a bachelor’s degree for eligible high school graduates.
- $52 million to continue Michigan Reconnect, providing a tuition-free pathway to adult learners 25 and older.
- $20 million increase in the Tuition Incentive Program, which provides tuition support to lower income students in Michigan’s community colleges, public universities, and private universities.
- $14.5 million for the North American Indian Tuition Waiver, to provide tuition-free education to eligible Native Americans at Michigan public universities and community colleges

“With today’s education budget signing, the Community College Guarantee becomes a reality for recent high school graduates entering college this fall,” said Brandy Johnson, President of the Michigan Community College Association. “More Michiganders will be able to obtain an associate degree or skills certificate thanks to this tuition-free path for in-district students, a significant award capped at the in-district rate for those not eligible for in-district tuition, and an additional $1,000 for students who qualify for the federal Pell Grant to cover non-tuition costs of attendance like textbooks and transportation. The Community College Guarantee will greatly bolster Michigan’s workforce and help us move closer to the Sixty by 30 goal, thanks to the efforts of Gov. Whitmer and our state lawmakers.”