Wayne State University students who were dealt a financial blow when the state of Michigan failed to fund the Michigan Promise Scholarship for the 2009-10 academic year are receiving welcome news just in time for the holiday season. The university will cover the $1,000 scholarship for students who have filed the standard Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and have demonstrated need based on federal guidelines.

The good news is being communicated to students in a letter from Wayne State President Jay Noren, who pointed out that the replacement scholarship will cover the full $1,000 amount qualified students had anticipated from the state for the current academic year. It can be used to help cover tuition or other educational costs. The assistance will come in the form of a credit applied to the account of each student who is enrolled for the remainder of the academic year.

Noren indicated that the university is disappointed that the state Legislature has not restored Michigan Promise funds in spite of a statewide effort by higher education institutions to persuade legislators to do so. "The university is deeply concerned about the effect this will have on students, particularly those with the greatest financial need," he said. "As a result, Wayne State is taking decisive action on its own."

In his letter, the president cautioned that the university's replacement of the Michigan Promise is a one-time event. He said Wayne State will continue its efforts to convince state government to restore Michigan Promise Scholarship funding, and he urged students to contact their state legislators to voice their concerns.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research university offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students.