A Stronger Path Forward: Kalamazoo Promise Enhances Access for Community College Students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ca’Jon Martin, cmartin@kalamazoopromise.com
[KALAMAZOO, Mich., Apr. 15th] - As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Kalamazoo Promise, in partnership with Kalamazoo Valley Community College, we are excited to announce an important update to how Promise scholarships are awarded at community colleges.
Beginning April 15, 2026, all Promise-eligible scholars attending participating community colleges (see list below) may receive up to 100% coverage of in-state tuition and mandatory fees, as defined by the Michigan Education Trust.
This change is designed to expand access and strengthen affordability for the many scholars who choose this pathway. In 2025, 56% of Promise scholars attended community colleges. Under this updated model, those students will be better positioned to maximize other forms of financial aid to cover additional costs of attendance. Prior to this new model, students used Pell grants and other financial aid funding to cover any remaining tuition and fee balances, but they will now be able to redirect those resources toward other financial barriers since their tuition will be fully covered through the Kalamazoo Promise.
If this model had been in place in 2025, 38% of scholars attending community colleges, or approximately 425 students, would have received increased Promise scholarship support.
“We are always looking for ways to remove barriers and open more doors for our scholars,” said Von Washington Jr., CEO of The Kalamazoo Promise. “This change reflects what we have learned over the past 20 years and strengthens our commitment to meeting students where they are. Community colleges play a critical role in our ecosystem, and this ensures more of our scholars can fully access the opportunities available to them.”
We believe this enhancement will encourage more scholars to begin their post-secondary journey, return to school, and persist through completion. Community colleges offer a wide range of high-quality programs, from skilled trades to traditional academic pathways, and play a vital role in the success of our scholars and our community.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College president L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D. added that “opportunities at Kalamazoo Valley are broad and intentional, with programs in healthcare, skilled trades, technology and the arts that connect students to real pathways and real opportunity. This announcement reinforces what we know to be true: when we remove financial barriers and build clear pathways, students succeed and communities thrive.”
This update does not change eligibility requirements for Promise scholars, nor does it affect how awards are distributed at four-year institutions.
For 20 years, The Kalamazoo Promise has remained committed to expanding access to post-secondary education. To date, the program has awarded more than $255 million in scholarships to over 9,300 scholars. We will continue to pursue innovative approaches that bring our mission to life: “Your Path, Your Promise,” ensuring that post-secondary education and a fulfilling future are within reach for all students.
List of Promise-eligible Community Colleges
Alpena Community College – Alpena, MI
Bay College – Escanaba, MI
Bay Mills Community College – Brimley, MI
Delta College – Saginaw, MI
Gogebic Community College – Ironwood, MI
Glen Oaks Community College – Centreville, MI
Grand Rapids Community College – Grand Rapids, MI
Henry Ford College – Dearborn, MI
Jackson College – Jackson, MI
Kellogg Community College – Battle Creek, MI
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College – L’Anse, MI
Kirtland Community College – Grayling, MI
Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Kalamazoo, MI
Lansing Community College – Lansing, MI
Lake Michigan College – Benton Harbor, MI
Macomb Community College – Clinton Township, MI
Monroe County Community College – Monroe, MI
Mid Michigan College – Harrison, MI
Mott Community College – Flint, MI
Montcalm Community College – Sidney, MI
Muskegon Community College – Muskegon, MI
North Central Michigan College – Petoskey, MI
Northwestern Michigan College/Great Lakes Maritime Academy – Traverse City, MI
Oakland Community College – Southfield, MI
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College – Mount Pleasant, MI
Schoolcraft College – Livonia, MI
St. Clair County Community College – Port Huron, MI
Southwestern Michigan College – Dowagiac, MI
Washtenaw Community College – Ann Arbor, MI
Wayne County Community College – Detroit, MI
West Shore Community College – Scottville, MI
-
No, eligibility for The Promise has NOT changed. What has changed is that ALL Promise eligible scholars enrolled at community colleges may be awarded 100% of tuition and mandatory fees while attending a community college.
-
April 15th, 2026
-
Financial aid is calculated on each student’s unique situation by financial aid at each post-secondary institution. We believe that for many students this will allow other financial aid to be applied to the other costs of attendance.
-
Yes, it applies to all participating community colleges in Michigan. Please see the list above.
-
The Promise will continue to be applied based on the percentage of Promise eligibility, 65% to 100%, as it has been since the start of The Kalamazoo Promise at all four-year colleges and universities.