Bay College Has Record Enrollment As New School Year Begins

Bay College says that the start of the Fall 2024 semester marks a significant milestone in the college’s history.

With more than 2,000 students currently enrolled, Bay College has reached its highest enrollment in the past decade, underscoring the institution’s growing reputation and the community’s strong commitment to education.

A key driver of this enrollment surge is the ongoing success of the Michigan Reconnect Program. Recently, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) extended the deadline for adults aged 21 to 24 to apply for this tuition-based community college scholarship program, which was originally limited to those 25 and older. The new deadline to apply for this expansion is December 31, 2024, with students required to enroll and begin their coursework by the summer semester of 2025.

Launched in 2021 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and a bipartisan legislature, Michigan Reconnect is the largest initiative in state history to provide adults with the opportunity to earn a skill certificate or degree tuition-free at their local community college. The program’s expansion, powered by $70 million in federal funding, opened the door for an additional 350,000 Michiganders aged 21 to 24 to pursue higher education without financial barriers.

Since its inception, 177,000 Michigan residents have applied for Michigan Reconnect, taking significant steps toward achieving their educational and career goals. This initiative also aligns with Michigan’s “Sixty by 30” goal, which aims to increase the percentage of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 51.1% to 60% by the year 2030.

Dr. Nerita Hughes, President of Bay College, expressed her enthusiasm for both the record-breaking enrollment numbers and the impact of Michigan Reconnect, stating, “We are incredibly proud to welcome our largest student body in over ten years. This milestone is a testament to the hard work of our faculty and staff, as well as the trust that students and their families place in Bay College. Programs like Michigan Reconnect are vital in our mission to provide opportunities for all students, and we are committed to supporting each and every student on their academic journey.”

As the semester begins, Bay College continues to enhance its academic offerings, student services, and campus facilities to meet the needs of its growing and diverse student population. The college remains focused on fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, helping students achieve success in their academic pursuits and future careers.

Michigan residents aged 21 to 24 who are interested in taking advantage of the Michigan Reconnect Program must complete the following steps:

1. Apply for the Michigan Reconnect scholarship at www.michigan.gov/reconnect by December 31, 2024.
2. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
3. Apply and enroll in a community or tribal college no later than the summer semester for 2025.

Students already enrolled should contact their college’s Financial Aid Office for additional information on applying the Reconnect Scholarship to their tuition bill and filing a FAFSA. The Bay College Financial Aid Office can be reached at financialaid@baycollege.edu or (906) 217-4020.

For more information about the Michigan Reconnect program, visit www.baycollege.edu/reconnect or www.michigan.gov/reconnect.