WSU Covers ‘Promise’ for 800 Students

WSU covers ‘Promise’ for 800 students Some students still left with debt

By Corinne Lyons Staff Writer Published: Monday, January 11, 2010 Updated: Monday, January 11, 2010 21:01

After a lengthy battle during the fall semester, nearly 800 students were informed that, based on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Wayne State would cover their Michigan Promise Scholarship. The university informed students earlier in the semester they would have to repay the money when the state budget didn't provide funding for the 2009-2010 academic school year.

Al Hermsen, director of student financial aid, said the university was notified that 1,400 students had qualified to receive funds under the scholarship. At the start of the

Shawn Wright / The South End

Hundreds of students protested on Nov. 23, 2009, along Warren Avenue after cuts were made to their Michigan Promise Scholarship.

Wayne State has since offered to cover the money — which the Michigan legislature revoked — for approximately 800 students.

semester, the students received a letter stating that the university would apply the funds to their accounts.

"We didn't think it was fair to remove it at the last minute," Hermsen said. "We didn't want students at the beginning of the semester thinking they wouldn't be able to afford to attend."

While the state legislature struggled daily to reach an agreeable budget, Wayne State rallied to continue funding the Michigan Promise Scholarship.

Vice President of Government and Community Affairs Harvey Hollins is one of the chief advocates for the university in Lansing.

Hollins said legislators were required to make tough decisions in the fall but contends that education should be the primary investment of the state.

"The state is looking at a serious budget deficit and they have a lot to consider," Hollins said. "These days you just can't come out of high school with a diploma and be competitive. The state should fund education for K-12 and a 4-year baccalaureate degree."

Hollins said one of the concerns brought up pointed to studies that showed students leave Michigan as soon as they complete their degree. Hollins said, regardless of that data, students have reasons for leaving the state.

Shawn Wright / The South End

Students upset about the Michigan’s legislatures revoking of their Michigan Promise Scholarship protested on Nov. 23, 2009, along Warren Avenue. Wayne State has since offered to replace the missing money for about 800 students.

"One of the reasons why people leave is job availability," he said. "We hope the economy in Michigan turns around. We think some people will come back to the state."

Hollins said for example, Google's Ann Arbor facilities are located near the University of Michigan, where some U-M graduates are hired out of school.

While Hollins and Hermsen were in Lansing arguing for the Michigan Promise, students at Wayne State vocalized their opinions about the loss of the scholarship.

Students at Wayne State jumped into action when the Student Council and Dean of Students Office sponsored a rally at the Welcome Center. More than 500 students demonstrated on Nov. 23 to protest the cuts.

Many spoke about their personal experiences using the scholarship to pay for their college expenses.

Kristopher Green, a junior, said he attended the rally, signed petitions and tried to raise awareness for the issue. The education major is not one of the 800 that will have the scholarship covered by the university.

The university notified students they would have to repay the money they received since funding for the scholarship was not in the state budget.

Green, 20, said the scholarship helped him pay for books, but a Pell Scholarship paid for most of his tuition.

"I can still pay for my classes, it's just my budget is a lot tighter," he said. "The only noticeable difference is I have to borrow books and supplies from friends."

Hermsen said nearly all of the recipients of the scholarship demonstrate a financial need, even though it is a merit award.

"Based on the federal definition of need, which expected family contribution subtracted from the cost of attending a university, if a student demonstrated any need at all the university replaced the funds."

Green said even though Wayne State did not replace his scholarship, the method the university is using is fair.

"I suppose the decision being based on need is a good thing," he said. "Not having the scholarship just inconveniences me not take away chance at education entirely."

Green said he will use some of his savings to repay the money but feels lucky to have an emergency reserve so he doesn't have to take on an additional job or need a payment plan.

Hermsen said the university's coverage of students' scholarships is a one-time thing. The scholarship pays $1,000 in a students' freshman and sophomore years then pays $2,000 during the junior year. The payments are made at the start of the fall semester.

Hermsen encourages students to complete the 2010-2011 FAFSA by Feb. 15, the university's priority date, to help find sources to replace the scholarship in the future.

Hermsen said one of the reasons all 1,400 students received notice they would have to repay the money was to force them to put pressure on the state legislature.

"We don't know what is going to happen to the Michigan Promise," said Hermsen. "The war hasn't ended yet."

Hollins said the state and each elected official that voted against the scholarship should be held accountable for the promise they broke to students.

"We want our elected officials to stop looking at their next election," Hollins said.