Blue Water College Access Network
St. Clair County's College Resource | May 2023
College Knowledge for EVERYONE
Welcome to your resource for planning, preparing, and going to college after high school. Blue Water College Access Network is here to provide information and opportunities that will ensure you graduate confidently prepared, with plans for career and college beyond high school. Whether you choose to go on to earn a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, or an industry credential, we can help you get there!
Each month, we will publish a newsletter to keep you on track, informed, and engaged in college activities provided by organizations across the county. To subscribe to the newsletter, submit your email address using this form. Past editions of the newsletter can be found at bwcan.org. Contact Nick Beaudry with any questions you might have at beaudry.nick@sccresa.org.
BWCAN Spring Event Recordings and Resources
Your Senior Year Advantage
- Holly Isler - Yale High School, College Adviser 2022-24
- Natalie Stein - SC4, Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator
- Lesley Murphy - St. Clair TEC, Principal
4-Year Planning for 8th Grade Students & Families
- Tyler Jamison - Port Huron Northern, Senior, BCAM Mr. Basketball 2023
- Peyton Holdburg - Marysville High School, Senior, TEC & CTMC
- Maxwell Kenny - U of M College of Engineering, Port Huron Northern & BWMC Graduate
Michigan Achievement Scholarship & the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Did you know that approximately 8 out of 10 new college students may qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship? Class of 2023 Michigan high school students can choose to attend an eligible Michigan college to receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and lower their cost of college by thousands of dollars a year. Students will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this scholarship opportunity.
Students who are eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship may receive more financial aid from the State of Michigan:
- Up to $2,000 if they attend an eligible training provider in Michigan, per year, up to two years
- Up to $2,750 if they attend a Michigan community college, per year, up to three years
- Up to $4,000 if they attend a Michigan private college or university, per year, up to five years
- Up to $5,500 if they attend a Michigan public university, per year, up to five years
Students will be eligible if their family demonstrates financial need* when they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
*Financial need is defined as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $25,000 or less.
High school seniors or students earning their high school equivalency or certificate of completion in 2023 can get started by filing the FAFSA.
Visit michigan.gov/achievement for program information, frequently asked questions and more.
IPG Employment Opportunities for Students Attending SC4 in the Fall
IPG will be accepting resumes and applications all May. Please share this flyer and information with your seniors that have declared they will be attending SC4 in the Fall 2023 semester.
How to College Crash Course Playlist: To College or Not To College?
In this month's video, Your Mental Health in College, Erica helps with ways you can head into your college experience with open eyes and the knowledge of the places and people you can turn to for help. Get a list of upcoming episodes for Fast Guides and How to College at https://gostudyhall.com/
Because there's a lot of information to keep track of when you're applying to college, Crash Course made an easy spreadsheet to help you compare schools, keep track of application requirements, and set your goals! Copy this free template and make it your own: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ycGCb-JeGpiu0LLJCUVvV_Zlm5W8u5eimgk3N3blmug/edit#gid=0
To preview upcoming topics, check out the episode guide.
From the Study Hall Program:
Dr. Erica Brozovsky (from PBS's Otherwords) hosts and breaks down how to apply for, succeed at, and graduate from college. We hope you'll join us for this journey and check out our all new Study Hall Channel where you can watch Fast Guides about college majors and even more series. Get a list of upcoming episodes for Fast Guides and How to College at https://gostudyhall.com/
Counselor Corner
Earn Free School Counselor SCECHs
Counselors looking for opportunities to earn credits to renew their certificates have flexible free online courses that may fulfill your needs:
Understanding the Modern Military - 5 SCECH Credits
MCAN Upcoming Webinars - .5-1 SCECH Credit each
MCAN Webinar Recordings - 1 Credit each
Full list from MDE: Free and Low-Cost Online Professional Learning Options Approved for Certificate Renewal and Progression
SC4 Resource for Counselors and Advisers
SC4 has a handy webpage for those guiding students' college and career planning. They have updated English and math placement information, AP course equivalencies and more. Check it out here: https://sc4.edu/admissions/high-school-counselors/
College Bound Michigan Registration Now Open for 2023-24
Registration is now open for the 2023-24 cycle of College Bound Michigan, MCAN's suite of initiatives designed to build and support college-going cultures in high schools and their surrounding communities. This program helps school counselors, college advisers, community-based partners, and other educators create systems and practices that connect all students with the opportunity for formal education beyond high school, including postsecondary certificates and academic degrees.
CBMI brings together three statewide high school initiatives — Michigan College Month, College Cash Campaign, and College Decision Day — into one campaign to help bring Michigan closer to Sixty by 30. There is no cost to participate, and all Michigan high schools and community-based organizations that work with high school students are invited to sign up. Click the register button below to learn more. Current CBMI sites, be sure to register to ensure you are included as a host site for next year! Registration will remain open through the fall, but signing up now ensures timely delivery of resources and takes something off your summer/fall to-do lists.
Why should my school or organization sign up?
As a CBMI Host Site, you will have access to:
- Exclusive funding opportunities
- Promotional materials
- Student-facing, grab-and-go resources
- Counselor/adviser-facing toolkits and implementation guides
- Professional development opportunities
Contact Nick Beaudry, Supervisor of Career and College Programs, St. Clair County RESA
Email: beaudry.nick@sccresa.org
Website: bwcan.org
Location: 499 Range Road, Marysville, MI, USA
Phone: 810.455.4261
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueWaterCAN/
Twitter: @BlueWaterCAN