Merrill College Access Newsletter
October Newsletter
Michigan College Application Week: Oct. 26-30
The American College Application Campaign, launched by the American Council on Education (ACE), is a national effort to increase the number of first-generation and low-income students who pursue a post-secondary education. The purpose is to help high school seniors navigate the college admissions process and ensure that each participating student submits at least one admissions application. Special focus is placed on assisting students who would be the first in their families to attend college and students who may not have otherwise seriously considered applying to college.
Michigan College Application Week is one initiative in a suite of three that aim to support students throughout the entire college-going process during their senior year. It is followed by the College Cash Campaign in the winter and College Decision Day in the spring.
Quote of the Month
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
-Benjamin Franklin-
Tip of the Month
What is FAFSA?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is used to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to the price of attending a postsecondary institution. The results of the FAFSA are used in determining student grants, work study, and loan amounts.
Federal Deadline
Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2016.
Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 17, 2016.
State Deadline
Michigan - March 1, 2015 by midnight, Central Time.
College Deadlines
Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date the college receives your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed.
Did You Know?
The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is an incentive program that encourages eligible students to complete high school by providing tuition assistance for the first two years of college and beyond. To meet the financial eligibility requirement, a student must have (or have had) Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-consecutive month period as identified by the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS). TIP provides assistance in two phases. Phase I covers tuition and mandatory fee charges for eligible students enrolled in a credit-based associate degree or minimum one year certificate program at a participating Michigan community college, public university, degree-granting independent college, federal tribally-controlled college, or Focus: HOPE. Phase II provides a maximum of $2,000 total tuition assistance for credits earned in a four-year program at an in-state, degree-granting college or university. Award parameters are subject to legislative changes.
Students are identified by DHS as having met the Medicaid eligibility requirement. Student Scholarships and Grants (SSG) will accept certification of Medicaid benefits received while in Michigan only and only from DHS for the purposes of verifying if a person is Medicaid eligible for 24 months within the 36 months before application. Students may be identified as TIP eligible as early as age 9. Since the student must be Medicaid eligible for 24 months out of a 36-consecutive month period, we begin to look at the 36-month period prior to the date of the student’s 12th birthday and go forward until high school graduation. Medicaid eligibility prior to that 36 month period is not counted. After being identified, SSG will send the student an acceptance form. The student must then complete the acceptance form and return it to SSG before graduation from high school or GED completion and must graduate before their 20th birthday to activate financial eligibility for the program. SSG will send the student an “eligibility letter” in their senior year of high school. The student should present this letter to their college financial aid office upon enrollment to receive payment. The student is responsible for notifying SSG of a change of address or college choice.
Tara Mager
Contact Us:
Merrill, MI 48637
(989) 643-7231
Rod Kitzmiller
College Access Coordinator
Important Dates to Remember:
October 21 -- Saginaw Valley State University rep. in Merrill (10:45)
October 22 -- Delta College rep. in Merrill (10:45)
October 22 --Early Registration for Dual Enrolled Delta students.
October 23 -- Michigan State University rep. in Merrill (10:45)
October 26-30 -- College Application Week
October 27 -- Norther Michigan University rep. in Merrill (10:45)
October 29 -- The Greater Michigan Construction Academy rep in Merrill (10:45)
Nov. 3 -- Michigan Advanced Technician Training (MAT^2 ) rep in Merrill (10:45)
Nov. 5 -- the Deadline to register for the December 12th ACT.
Nov. 19 -- Western Michigan University rep in Merrill (10:45)
***Students please sign up at the office to meet with any representatives.