$1.2M to help rural mid-Michigan college students

A view of a cardinal at Saginaw Valley State University on Thursday, Feb.13, 2020.

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FRANKENLUST TWP, MI—Congressman and Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, Dan Kildee (D-Flint), has announced a new federal grant program to help rural mid-Michigan students prepare for and succeed in college.

The new $1.2 Million federal grant was awarded to Saginaw Valley State University through the U.S. Department of Education’s Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) program and will support students from rural communities as they prepare for and attend college.

Kildee says the push was made for SVSU because every mid-Michigan student deserves a chance to earn the education necessary to compete for the jobs of the twenty-first century economy. He says the federal grant will help more students from the rural communities in the area graduate with the skills they need to secure good-paying jobs.

The federal funding will help expand existing programs, like career services, and develop new programs to improve college preparedness, access and success. By meeting the unique needs of rural students, these programs will help increase rural enrollment and graduation rates and long-term career success.

SVSU President Don Bachand said in response to the approval of the grant that the funds will allow the school to grow its already strong portfolio of programs and services it provides for students from rural communities.

“We will use these funds to expand our outreach into rural areas of Michigan and then support students’ graduation from SVSU through peer student success coaches and other resources.”

Bachand says the school already provides career pathways to nearly 40 of the ‘Michigan Hot 50′ jobs, and will further develop opportunities for students that align with Michigan’s talent needs.

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