Overview
- Public records compiled by WIRED put total spending near $30 million over four years, translating to roughly $20,000 per student.
- Apple contributed about $11.6 million, more than $8.5 million came from Michigan public sources, and private philanthropy, including the Gilbert Family Foundation, supplied additional funding.
- The tuition-free, 10-month program launched in 2021 with Michigan State University, providing MacBooks, iPhones, mentorship, and monthly stipends typically ranging from $800 to $1,500.
- Enrollment has topped 1,700 with about 600 completions, yet many students report financial strain, citing insufficient stipends, use of food assistance, and the need for side jobs.
- Alumni describe an Apple-centric curriculum that can limit marketability, while Apple points to frequent updates such as Vision Pro workshops and generative-AI tools, plus outputs including 62 apps and 13 businesses.