I’ll be honest. I was pretty dubious when Doug Ross first started telling me about a college degree program that not only would run at the desired speed of the student but would also cost just $7,000 a year.

Michigan has launched a program offering tuition-free college to an estimated 625,000 Michiganders who provided essential, frontline services during COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe orders between April and June 2020. To be eligible for the program, applicants must:Be a Michigan residentHave worked in an essential industry at least part-time for 11 of the 13 weeks between April 1 – June 30, 2020Have been required by their job to work outside the home at least some of the time between April 1 – June 30, 2020Not have previously earned an associate or bachelor’s degreeNot be in default on a Federal student loanComplete a Futures for Frontliners scholarship application by 11:59 p.m., Dec. 31, 2020Frontline workers are encouraged to visit www.michigan.gov/Frontliners to explore career opportunities, a list of local community colleges and get started on their application – even if they don’t already have a high school diploma. Related: Frontline Heroes stories

Michigan has launched a program offering tuition-free college to an estimated 625,000 Michiganders who provided essential, frontline services during COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe orders between April and June 2020. To be eligible for the program, applicants must:Be a Michigan residentHave worked in an essential industry at least part-time for 11 of the 13 weeks between April 1 June 30, 2020Have been required by their job to work outside the home at least some of the time between April 1 June 30, 2020Not have previously earned an associate or bachelors degreeNot be in default on a Federal student loanComplete a Futures for Frontliners scholarship application by 11:59 p.m., Dec. 31, 2020Frontline workers are encouraged to visit www.michigan.gov/Frontliners to explore career opportunities, a list of local community colleges and get started on their application even if they dont already have a high school diploma. Related: Frontline Heroes stories