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Michigan – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has shown that her administration remains committed to Michigan families by keeping free meals for all public school students in the state’s new fiscal year 2026 (FY26) education budget. This week, a bipartisan deal was passed into law that will keep 1.4 million students getting free breakfast and lunch. This would save families an average of over $1,000 a year and help kids stay focused and ready to study.
The $248.1 million proposal is one of the most popular parts of Senate Bill 166. Whitmer said that keeping universal school meals going was an important investment in both education and fairness, as it would help all students do well, no matter how much money their families made.
“Here in Michigan, we’re connecting our kids with the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive whether they’re in pre-K or senior year,” Whitmer said, emphasizing that the measure is part of her broader effort to make education more accessible and affordable for families across the state.
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The School Aid Fund gives $19.5 billion to the FY26 Education Omnibus budget, which adds up to $24.1 billion. The plan’s main goals are to increase financing for classrooms, assist teachers, and make education more accessible from early childhood through college. The new per-student allotment of $10,050, which is a record high and 4.6% more than last year, will give each kid an extra $442. The $593.5 million increase is meant to give schools the basic equipment they need for the classroom and new tools for learning.
The new budget keeps Governor Whitmer’s long-term aim of raising literacy rates across the state while also making sure that everyone gets free meals. A total of $122 million is going to literacy programs. This builds on years of accomplishments, such as new reading curricula and the addition of literacy coaches in classrooms.
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Early education continues to be a top priority. The budget aims for everyone to have access to early learning by setting aside $657 million for free pre-kindergarten for every 4-year-old. It also gives $25 million to improve preschool programs for 3-year-olds and $10 million for start-up funding under the Great Start Readiness Program.
There is also a lot of discussion regarding funding for higher education. The 28 community colleges in Michigan will split $375 million to help pay for degree and job training programs. The budget also sets aside $380 million for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and $122.3 million for the Tuition Incentive Program. Both of these programs are meant to make college and technical school more affordable.
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The budget also puts $203 million into hiring and keeping teachers through stipends, $200 million into improving the infrastructure of K–12 schools, and $321 million into making schools safer and better for students’ mental health.
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Whitmer described the FY26 education plan as another step toward building a strong foundation for Michigan’s next generation. “Together, we’re setting our kids up for a brighter future that starts in Michigan,” she said, reaffirming that every child deserves both a full stomach and a fair shot at success.