Michigan veterans would be eligible for grants to help them earn a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math under a new bipartisan bill in the state House.
If the bill becomes law, eligible veterans could receive up to $5,000 a year toward a STEM degree at a public university or community college in Michigan.
“We are working with people who have literally put their lives on the line for our country. And we should be able to have this set up for them so they can stay in Michigan and prosper,” said state Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet), who introduced House Bill 5069.
“It would help curb our veterans’ unemployment rate to make sure we’re giving them help where they can get into occupations that will provide stable, long-term, well-paying jobs.”
Michigan veterans had a 6.3 percent unemployment rate in 2014 – one percent above the national average.
Here are links to the bill and the report including vets’ jobless rate –
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2015-HB-5069
http://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/0416cb9f-9e16-4cc8-aa81-a980c2c0d979/michigan.pdf
