LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Thomas Albert this week introduced a resolution calling on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to enroll the state of Michigan in a new student scholarship program created by the federal government.
Senate Resolution 88 urges the governor to opt in to the new Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program for K-12 education. The program, set to begin in 2027, would allow privately funded scholarships to help K-12 students in both public and nonpublic school settings. The scholarships could help pay for tuition, tutoring, books and supplies, transportation and support services without using tax dollars.
“This is a great opportunity to potentially help improve outcomes for Michigan kids in every educational setting — public, private and home-based schools,” said Albert, R-Lowell. “Many other states are going to capitalize on this voluntary, donor-based program to benefit students. Children in Michigan should not be left behind.”
Scholarships would be funded by private donations to organizations established as federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Each organization must provide scholarships to at least 10 students. Individual donors could claim a nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. Michigan residents who donate would be eligible to receive the tax credit regardless of whether Whitmer opts in to the program, but if Michigan does not participate, donations would benefit students in other states.
It’s likely that children from most Michigan families would be eligible for scholarships. Students must come from a household earning no more than 300% of their area’s median gross income. To participate, states must opt in to the program through their governors or other entities that would first have to be designated in state law.
Albert said the scholarship program would provide another tool to help Michigan improve its lackluster academic performance. Whitmer noted in her State of the State address earlier this year that only 24% of fourth graders can read proficiently, and that while Michigan invests more per-pupil than most states, our state is achieving bottom 10 results.
Albert also advocates for several other education system improvements, including more instruction time, a strengthened “Read by Grade 3” law, and extra focus to turn around failing schools.
“This scholarship program would help kids who want to stay in their local public school succeed, and it would provide more options for students looking for alternatives,” Albert said. “It’s a win for students either way, and Michigan should participate.”
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