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Reconnect

Michigan Reconnect is an opportunity to start or restart your education and transform your life - tuition free.

Michigan Reconnect is a state financial aid program for Michiganders 25 or older without a college degree. This program provides eligible students with tuition-free access to pursue an associate degree or occupational certificate at their local community college.

If you have been thinking about starting or returning to college, now is the right time, and GRCC is the right place.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a Michigan resident, with continuous residency for at least the preceding 12 months.
  • Be 25 years or older at the time of application.
  • Have not previously earned an associate or bachelor's degree.
  • Meet federal financial aid eligibility requirements, including:
    • Be either a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen, based on federal financial aid requirements.
    • Have a high school diploma or GED.

Past Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is not required for the Reconnect program.

What costs does Reconnect cover?

  • Tuition and mandatory fees at the resident tuition rate.
  • Students who live outside of the Kent Intermediate School District will receive a cost savings on their tuition rate, but their associate degree or certificate will not be tuition-free. Students will pay the difference between the resident and non-resident rate.
  • Federal and State of Michigan financial aid can only be used to cover the cost of classes required to complete your current active program of study. You can view your current program of study by logging into your MyGRCC account and selecting your Online Center. Once in your Online Center, select the Academic Progress tile to review the courses required for your program of study. You also can see which courses are left to be taken. 
  • If you transfer credits from another college, those transfer credits may be applied toward your program of study and reduce the number of classes required to complete your degree. Be sure to work closely with your academic advisor and use the resources in your MyGRCC account to select and enroll in only those classes required to complete your program of study.

What are my next steps?

For currently enrolled students

  1. Apply for Michigan Reconnect.
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Planning to attend in Fall 2023? Fill out the 2023-2024 FAFSA. 
  3. Enroll in classes required for your certificate or associate degree program.

For returning students

Have you attended GRCC in the past, but not taken classes recently?

  1. Apply for Michigan Reconnect.
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Planning to attend in Fall 2023? Fill out the 2023-2024 FAFSA. 
  3. If you have taken classes within the last two years, your account is still active and you can sign up for classes through the Online Center. Forgot your student ID or password? Call the Enrollment Center at (616)-234-3300 for help.
  4. Enroll in classes required for your certificate or associate degree program.

If it has been two years or longer since you last attended, you will need to complete the Declaration of Academic Program before you can enroll in classes.

For students who are new to GRCC

  1. Apply for Michigan Reconnect.
  2. Apply to GRCC.
  3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Planning to attend in Fall 2023? Fill out the 2023-2024 FAFSA. 

Already applied for Michigan Reconnect?

  1. Check your Application Status

Still deciding on your career path?

GRCC offers free online assessment tools and individualized career counseling.

Questions?

See Frequently Asked Questions or connect with us directly!

Schedule an Admissions Specialist appointment

Schedule a Financial Aid appointment

Email: reconnect@grcc.edu
Phone: (616) 234-3366
Text: (616) 504-6178

Contact Info

Testimonial

Reconnect student Morgan Brink and her family.
As a mom, you really don’t want to take away resources from your kids. But thanks to Reconnect, I can get my degree for free, and it won’t be a financial burden on my family.
Morgan Brink

Faculty & Staff

Leadership

Staff

Jason Schueller

Jason Schueller

Assistant Director of Adult Recruitment and Community Outreach
(616) 234-3344
Transfer