Nov 22
Jun 30, 2022
Lake Superior State University renewed its long-established annual tuition agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, MI. The collaboration, starting in 2009, encourages area Coast Guard active duty personnel, reserve members, and civilian employees, plus their spouses and dependents, to pursue an undergraduate degree at LSSU by significantly lowering the cost of study.
Participants pay $250 per credit hour, saving more than half of LSSU’s regular rate of $560 per credit hour for fall 2022 and spring 2023 and almost one-third the standard price of $373 per credit hour for winter 2022 and summer 2023. The compact aligns LSSU tuition with the allowable amount offered by the Coast Guard’s tuition assistance program for Sector Sault participants.
“This not only continues to be a world of good. It’s also the right thing to do,” said LSSU President Dr. Rodney S. Hanley. “Three Great Lakes surround LSSU. Lake State was founded in 1946 for World War II veterans at a former Army fort. These are fundamental connections to the area Coast Guard. Said another way, LSSU’s mission includes enhancing the quality of life of the Great Lakes region, and we can’t do that without our Coast Guard neighbors. This tuition agreement both pays things forward and exemplifies the pillars of partnership, sustainability, and interdependence in our strategic plan. And, on a personal level, as a military veteran, I’m honored to support again this cost-effective way to identify potential and drive social mobility through innovative, transformative education for vital colleagues.”
More than 100 Coast Guard-LSSU students have taken advantage of the opportunity since 2009, translating to upwards of $200,000 in benefits. Sector Sault counts more than 750 personnel and utilizes 23 boats assigned to seven multi-mission stations and two Aids to Navigation teams. Sector Sault’s area of responsibility includes Lake Superior, the St. Marys River, northern Lake Michigan, and northern Lake Huron, encompassing 1,850 miles of shoreline and 560 miles of international maritime border with Canada.
“For over 10 years, this partnership has made the pursuit of higher education and continued professional growth accessible and affordable for our active duty personnel and their families,” said Sector Sault Commander Capt. Anthony Jones. “It is one of many reasons why Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is an unparalleled place to call home, and we look forward to growing our relationship with Lake Superior State University into the future.”