MichiganRadio

Lawmakers Consider Cuts to Student Financial Aid ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - A Senate subcommittee bill would drastically cut the amount of money allotted to 2 need-based grant programs.

It would also eliminate altogether a merit-based award program called the Michigan Promise Scholarship. More than 96,000 students are expecting a scholarship. The awards range from $1,000-$4,000.

Michael Boulus is executive director of a group that represents the state's public universities. He calls the cuts an act of desperation:

"Why would you want to cut financial aid to students when higher education is the only promise they have for a brighter economic future."

The cuts to higher education aid total around $210 million.

The bill needs to be approved by the Senate, House and Governor before the cuts can take effect. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio