The final budget passed by state lawmakers early Friday includes a short range of support for financial aid that college advocates say should help make higher education more accessible to Michigan students.

But the budget’s higher education plan, which also marginally increases operational funds for all 15 of Michigan’s public universities and more than two dozen community colleges, may also fall short of some priorities that industry leaders stumped for as state budget talks rolled on this fall.

Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association, said the state’s lack of investment in school infrastructure for the 2025-26 budget year fell short of needs, especially at the community college level, where attaining technical skills and undergoing jobs training is much

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