Michigan Measures Would Open State's Coffers to Theology Students
by Jim Brown and Jody Brown
May 27, 2004
(AgapePress) - Despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that permits states to deny taxpayer-funded scholarships to ministry students, college-level students of theology, divinity, and religious education may be receiving financial aid from the state.Both houses of the Michigan legislature have passed a six-bill package that allows theology students to receive state support, similar to that if one were to major in literature, engineering, or computer science. Senate Bills 625, 626, 627, 628, 661, and 662 -- all of which passed with a bipartisan vote and are now on their way to the governor for signature -- are intended to end the practice of discrimination against certain types of academic study.
Republican State Senator Jason Allen from Traverse City introduced the legislation in 2003. Allen explains the issue was forced on lawmakers because of a pending case involving Ave Maria College student Teresa Becker, who was denied a state scholarship because she declared a major in theology.
"The United States Supreme Court issued a ruling under oral arguments back in December -- and ... the way that the decision came down really put significantly more of the responsibility back on the state," he says. "I, along with my other colleagues, took the leadership initiative on this to make sure that Michigan laws would allow people who are going to major in theology to have access to state support."
The state lawmaker says those elected to go to Lansing to represent Michiganders have a responsibility to make sure all of the state's students have the same opportunities and are not penalized for their chosen course of study.
"We have to allow students in whatever major that they're working in to be able to study that -- and to me, Michigan's constitution is very clear in its regard to the support of church issues," he says. "Theology majors could be taken at both public and private universities and colleges, so I believe very strongly -- and the Senate and State House have also agreed -- that they should be able to receive their fair share of state support."
The bills carry a provision that prohibits scholarship and grant money from the state to be used for student who pursue studies to become a minister of faith, which Allen says is significantly different from those who are students of theology.
"This legislation will allow those who wish to expand their educational base and study theology to received scholarship funds, while protecting the separation of Church and State by not endorsing a religion or paying for the training of a minister of a religion," he states.
According to a press release from Allen's office, the state's five main educational aid programs would be affected by the legislation: the Michigan Legislative Award, the Michigan Educational Opportunity Grant, the Michigan Competitive Scholarship, the Part-time Independent Student Grant, and the state's Tuition Grant programs.
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has stated publicly that she will sign the legislation. The state awards more than $242 million each year in grants and scholarships.
