UPDATE: LANSING - When it came time for Lauren Choi to decide on a college, the Haslett High School senior knew she wanted to stay in Michigan. But she also knew cost was going to play a large factor in that decision too.

After all, Choi is one of seven other siblings in her family, which makes paying for college no easy task.

"I know I considered Hope (College), but when I looked at tuition, I ended up not really even wanting to go there," Choi said. "It was just really expensive, and it's definitely kind of a thought, there's still six other (siblings) behind me."

Like most college students, Choi was going to rely on her parents, and a hefty amount of student loans to cover the rising tuition costs. But all of that could soon be changing with the Michigan 2020 plan.

The plan proposed would award around $9,500 annually to all undergraduate students who chose to stay in-state and attend a university, community college, or trade school. In total, the program would cost the state around $1.8 billion annually, which would be covered by closing several of the corporate tax loopholes, according to Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) who is one of the main sponsors of the bill.

Meanwhile, Choi will start at Michigan State University next fall, with what she hopes will be one less burden: having to take out student loans.

"I think it would be really nice, especially since we lost the $4,000 Promise Scholarship, it would just be really helpful."


ORIGINAL STORY: LANSING - It soon could be a lot easier for students in Michigan to pay for college. Watch Meridian Magazine to find out how.