Governor Jennifer Granholm is rallying to keep the promise she made to over 96,000 students across Michigan.

The Michigan Promise Grant scholarship was introduced by the Granholm administration and was included in the budget she presented to the legislature last February.

Though students from several public universities, including Oakland University, attempted to keep legislators from cutting the Promise, it was removed from the Michigan state budget.

“We have got to keep our promise to those kids and our commitment, frankly, to Michigan’s future by funding this scholarship,” Granholm said. 

The budget, signed into law Oct. 30, was approved by Granholm. She said that she felt the need to approve the budget though she was not wholly satisfied with the overall budget outcome of the Promise fight because of the urgency and necessity for an operational state budget.

The Michigan House has already inserted the Promise scholarship back into its budget. Meanwhile, Granholm says the fight lies in the senate. 

“The legislature took it out and we have to get them to put it back in,” Granholm said. “And I think that this is an issue where we can win — the tide can be turned.”

The senate has already approved a source of funding for the scholarship, which Granholm believes is a step in the right direction. An increase of the earned income tax credit has been identified as a possibility.

The tax credit, which would be slowly phased in, is one way to persuade legislators to reinstate the Promise Granholm said.

OU students are once again taking matters into their own hands by joining other college students at a rally Friday at the Oakland Community College Royal Oak Campus in support of the grant.

OU Student Congress legislative affairs director Amy Ring organized the effort and is hoping that students will be able to join the dialogue as Granholm goes campuses statewide to recruit support in her initiative.

In addition to the campus visits, Granholm also sent letters to 348,000 high school and college students that qualified for the award.

“I have spoken loudly and clearly about the need for the Michigan Promise scholarship, but my voice alone cannot bring it back to life,” said the letter.

Students interested in joining the MI Promise Scholarship rally can reserve a spot the Bear Bus, which leaves at 2:15 p.m.from the Hamlin residence hall circle, by contacting Ring at [email protected].