While state officials celebrate their efforts in “lowering the cost of college,” let’s be clear: the money didn’t come from “the state” – it came from you, the hardworking Michiganders footing the bill.

Where the money went.

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Among the flashy freebies in the 15 student aid programs: Michigan Achievement Scholarships burned through over $110 million, Michigan Reconnect programs cost about $47 million, and the Tuition Incentive Program devoured over $94 million. There’s even $30.6 million in stipends for future educators who are not even teaching yet.

Curious where all that taxpayer money went? Community college students (64,500) received more than $124.9 million, public university students (45,332) got over $181.2 million, private college students (24,576) collected more than $68.9 million, and students attending private training providers like the Carnegie Institute and Ross Medical (126) received over $242,000.

Who’s actually paying? Yes, you.

This isn’t a Robin Hood story – it’s more like robbing Peter to pay Paul’s tuition. The state’s “Sixty by 30” plan is marching toward its goal of 60% of Michiganders having a skill certificate or college degree by 2030. But whether those degrees translate to actual employment – or just diplomas in debt and disillusionment – remains to be seen.

Degrees for all, no accountability from the state.

What’s missing from this shiny annual report? Any mention of a structured measurement plan for tracking how many scholarship recipients graduate, contribute to the economy in their chosen field, or stay in-state.

The bottom line.

If you’re a taxpayer in Michigan, congratulations: you just paid about $3,200 per scholarship recipient so someone else could maybe, possibly, hopefully graduate with a degree that might someday get them a job. Or not. But hey, who’s counting? Definitely not the state of Michigan.