The bill amends the Michigan Reconnect Grant Recipient Act to adjust eligibility criteria for individuals seeking financial assistance for education. Notably, the minimum age requirement for applicants is reduced from 25 to 21 years, provided that sufficient funds are appropriated to expand the program. This change is temporary and cannot be applied after the state fiscal year ending September 30, 2032. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals must be enrolled in a Pell-eligible program leading to an associate degree or industry-recognized certificate to qualify for the grant.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a reconnect short-term training program aimed at providing skills scholarships to eligible individuals. The scholarships, which can be up to $1,500, are intended to cover tuition costs for qualified occupational training programs. Similar to the grant eligibility, the minimum age for scholarship recipients is also set at 25, with the same provision allowing for a reduction to 21 under specific funding conditions. The bill also mandates that recipients of skills scholarships remain eligible for the Michigan Reconnect Grant program to pursue further education after completing their training.