23-04-2025
University of Michigan shifts DEI money to low-income students
The University of Michigan is sweetening its Go Blue Guarantee scholarship offer by covering housing costs and fees as well as tuition for aspiring nurses, teachers and social workers.
The expanded help is among several new moves the school announced this week to bolster what it calls student-facing initiatives. School leaders promised more funding for such programs last month when they shuttered U-M's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Critics complained that the office and other diversity initiatives on campus had become too bureaucratic. Those programs also faced increased scrutiny from the Trump administration, which has targeted DEI efforts for elimination, claiming they discriminate by race.
The Go Blue Guarantee provides free tuition to in-state students with family incomes of $125,000 or less and assets below $125,000. Beginning this fall, qualified undergraduates enrolled in the nursing or education schools who commit to a career in those fields, will have their housing costs covered as well.
Living in U-M's dorms can cost between $12,000 and $20,000 per year, depending on the number of roommates and the type of meal plan.
The housing and fees coverage also will be available to students who got the guarantee as undergrads and are pursuing a master's degree in social work.
"Taken together, these investments aim to increase the number of students entering nursing and teaching fields, which require a bachelor's, and social work, which requires a master's, in order to help address the critical shortage of skilled professionals in these vocations locally and nationally," President Santa Ono said in a letter dated April 22 that also was signed by Provost Laurie K. McCauley and Martino Harmon, vice president for student life.
Other initiatives announced this week include more support for:
The Center for Educational Outreach, which supports under-resourced schools across the state.
M-Connect, which helps community college students transfer to U-M.
First Gen Gateway, which supports first-generation students at U-M.
Success Connects, a coaching, tutoring and peer mentoring program for all students.
"Our commitment to supporting people from all backgrounds and perspectives remains steadfast; and, moving forward, we will continue to improve our programs in ways that empower individuals to achieve their greatest potential," Ono said in his letter.
Contact John Wisely: jwisely@ On X: @jwisely
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: University of Michigan shifts DEI money to low-income students
