Branch County KCC students 21 and older eligible for lower tuition under Michigan Reconnect

Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter
·2 min read

COLDWATER — Branch County students 21 and older can save $158.25 per credit hour working on their college degree by attending Kellogg Community College through the Michigan Reconnect program.

The program provides free community college tuition to students who meet specific guidelines up to the in-district tuition rate.

KCC Grahl Center in Coldwater
KCC Grahl Center in Coldwater

While most Branch County residents fall outside the college district, that still amounts to a considerable reduction in tuition costs: the standard out-of-district tuition rate of $239.50 per credit hour drops to $81.25, representing a 66% rate reduction.

The criteria changed this year, dropping the age from 25 to 21.

Since February 2021, over 2,170 students have taken advantage of the Reconnect program at KCC, including nearly 800 students enrolled this fall 2023 semester.

KCC estimates more than 500 additional students taking classes this fall – including students in Branch Country – could benefit from the new Michigan Reconnect expansion.

According to KCC, “Current fall-semester students can apply now and, if accepted, will be reimbursed by the state for the relevant costs associated with their current classes.”

In addition to offering more than 100 online courses each semester for out-of-district students, KCC offers in-person courses and training opportunities on its Grahl Center campus in Coldwater, located at 125 Seeley St., and the Branch Area Careers Center.

Eligible students must:

  • Be at least 21 years old when they apply

  • Have lived in Michigan for a year or more

  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent.

  • Have not yet completed a college associate or bachelor’s degree.

With most degrees requiring over 60 credits hours, the saving is nearly $10,000 or more to obtain a degree.

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For more information, go to the KCC website at kellogg.edu/reconnect or michigan.gov/reconnect/community-college.

— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Michigan Reconnect Kellogg Community College Branch County tuition