New legislation would provide relief to higher education students eligible for federal Pell Grant
LANSING, Mich., April 25, 2025 — State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) introduced legislation this week to establish a textbook tax credit for low-income students attending a higher education or vocational school in Michigan. House Bill 4370 would make the credit claimable for individuals who have been awarded a federal Pell Grant, as well as for professional or graduate students who would have otherwise been eligible for the Pell Grant.
“The reality is that tuition is just one of the barriers to higher education for students from working and low-income families,” Xiong said. “This tax credit helps remove one of the overlooked barriers to entry — high textbook costs — to help increase access to higher education for the Michiganders who need it most.”
The legislation will help relieve the non-tuition costs of higher education, opening doors for low-income students seeking to learn in Michigan. Students and families would be required to submit copies of textbook receipts in order to claim the credit.
“As Michigan’s families are already dealing with the rising costs of everyday things, ensuring they can afford higher education opportunities that can set them up for lifelong economic success is more crucial than ever,” Xiong continued. “This tax credit is a first step to not just providing, but also to incentivizing a pathway to career development for Michigan students.”
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