HB-5135 Summary

• Expands eligible students for promise zone financial assistance to include those graduating from nonpublic high schools located within the promise zone, in addition to public high school graduates.

• Changes minimum financial assistance from funding tuition at community colleges to an amount "equal or exceed" what the board determines is sufficient to cover tuition for an associate degree or certificate at community/junior colleges or vocational programs.

• Allows financial assistance to cover up to the average tuition cost for a bachelor's degree at public universities in Michigan, and optionally private colleges up to that average amount.

• Adds new definition of "vocational program" as an education or training program for a trade, occupation, or vocation offered by public or private postsecondary institutions in the state.

• Permits boards to revise, establish, or eliminate high school grade point average requirements without amending the development plan or obtaining Department of Treasury approval.