(WWJ) – Grand Valley State University has opened their tuition-free program to all eligible students in the state of Michigan, school officials announced on Tuesday.
GVSU's "Grand Valley Pledge" originally offered free, four-year tuition to students residing in Calhoun, Grand Traverse, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Wayne counties, who came from households earning less than $50,000 a year.
Leaders said the program will now be open to new first-year or transfer students who qualify from across the entire state.
"We never want finances to be a barrier that stops students from moving forward," President Philomena V. Mantella said in a press release.
"I am so pleased Grand Valley is able to expand its access to all Michigan students who want to go to college. Talented students with a passion for learning belong at GVSU."
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University officials said opening the program state-wide gives more students the chance to succeed. The school estimated 400 students who were eligible for the Grand Valley Pledge program attended GVSU last fall semester – they expect hundreds more to enroll August 2022.
"Students who qualify for the Pledge program will be positively impacted because of these new initiatives," B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Management and Educational Outreach, said on Tuesday.
"We believe the key to success is meeting students where they are and this plan allows us to meet more students and to ensure they have an opportunity to succeed in college."
Students who qualify through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will automatically be enrolled in the program without any extra paperwork.
To learn more about the Grand Valley Pledge, please call the Financial Aid Office at 800- 748-0246 or email finaid@gvsu.edu.
Additional details can be found at gvsu.edu/gvpledge/.
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