Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer announced that the final round of the MI2020 Scholarship Competition has begun as the ten finalists compete to win the $10,000 grand prize. The ten students qualified for the finals by receiving the highest number of votes during the semi-final round of the competition during which more than 40,000 votes were cast all across Michigan.

Whitmer said "the public's interest in this competition has been extraordinary and is a testament to the creativity and hard work of the students involved. Out students' talents and their belief in the Michigan 2020 Plan have truly made this competition a success."

Student's were asked to submit a short web video that explains the importance of investing in higher education and how the Michigan 2020 Plan to offer free college tuition to all students is the right investment for the state to make. Fifty-five students qualified for the semi-final round of the competition with the top ten vote getters moving onto the finals.

The finalist's entries are available online at www.mi2020video.com and voting is open through Friday, May 25. The public is encouraged to vote either online or via phone or text message. Information on how to vote is available on the website.

More information on the Michigan 2020 Plan to provide college tuition for all Michigan high school graduates is available online at www.michigan2020.com.

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