Promise Day gives voice to students

Fort Gratiot junior Megan Fredendall is still waiting to receive her Michigan Promise Scholarship.

“I talked to Receivable Accounting and they said they don’t even know if I’m going to get it or not,” she said.

The Student Government Association’s Legislative Affairs committee held Promise Day on Thursday for students who are greatly affected by Michigan’s deficit. More than 800 students requested their State Senators contact information during the event.

More than 3,000 Central Michigan University incoming and returning students were not awarded their earned scholarship.

The Michigan Promise is a $4,000 scholarship funded by the state of Michigan that started in 2007 and is rewarded to high school graduates who received valid test scores on their Michigan Merit Exam.

The decision to eliminate the grant took a turn in the State House and Senate. The State House voted Thursday to add a $120 million to the budget to restore the Michigan Promise, which reversed Wednesday’s decision from a State House and Senate committee to eliminate the grant.

“I’m very glad that some students are willing to participate and demand that the scholarship is not eliminated,” said Brighton freshman Colleen McNeely, chairwoman of SGA’s Legislative Affairs Committee. “I’m glad the committee has reversed their decision.”

But students still do not know if they receive their money.

Frustrations rising

Livonia freshman Kristin Turbiak is frustrated her scholarship was taken away.

“We worked hard to take that test (MME) and, now, it’s out the window,” she said.

When Turbiak’s mother, an elementary schoolteacher, found out the bad news through an e-mail from Central Michigan University, she immediately wrote a letter to the state.

“You make a promise, you keep it,” Turbiak said.

Unfortunately, Turbiak and her mother awaited a reply, but never received the letter.

Turbiak said she called State Sen. Glenn Anderson, D-Westland, but was unable to speak directly with her. However, Turbiak spoke to Anderson’s secretary and learned she was working hard to keep the Michigan Promise Scholarship.

“I voiced my concern and shared some personal experiences relating to the scholarship,” Turbiak said.

Romulus freshman James McGlynn chose to attend a university in Michigan partially because he was receiving the scholarship.

“It was one of the reasons why I stayed in Michigan,” he said.

Allen Park junior Ellen Trudell was concerned when finding out she would no longer receive the scholarship.

“I can’t believe the hypocrisy of it,” Trudell said. “I don’t understand how they expect us to stay in Michigan and provide to the economy when they won’t even aid us in going to school.”

McNeely also is a recipient of the scholarship, but she is not sure if she will ever see the rewards of it.

“It’s great news that the House voted to restore the Promise grants,” McNeely said. “However, we are still awaiting on action to be taken on a tax bill to ensure that the scholarship is awarded.”