Kalamazoo Valley Welcomes Frontline Workers

Frontline workers who’ve been thinking about going back to college or finishing their high school equivalency can now do it for free, thanks to a new program through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Through the Futures for Frontliners scholarship program, Michiganders who served as an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic, have the opportunity to attend community college tuition-free – even if they don’t have a high school diploma or equivalency.

Examples of frontline workers are those who staffed grocery stores and restaurants, provided waste management services, manufactured Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), operated public transportation or provided critical police or fire services.

The program offers free tuition to pursue an associate degree or certificate at a community college either full-time or part-time while they work or while earning their high school diploma or equivalency through an approved adult education provider.

“Providing frontline workers in essential industries with access to tuition-free community college to pursue their career and personal dreams is a wonderful way to say ‘thank you’ – they certainly earned it,” said Megan Pauken, director of enrollment management at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. “We are excited about this opportunity and welcome frontline workers to Kalamazoo Valley.”

The application for seeking a college degree or certificate or attaining a high school diploma is available now at https://www.michigan.gov/frontliners/, with enrollment in classes available beginning January 2021.

Winter semester at Kalamazoo Valley begins Jan. 11. For information about getting started at Valley, go to www.kvcc.edu/frontliners.