Blue Water College Access Network

St. Clair County's College Resource | March 2022

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.

Paying for College

March is abuzz with financial aid and scholarship deadline reminders, which has us thinking of the many ways people pay for college. Check out some of the ways local grads paid their way and prepare to chat with your school counselor or college adviser to explore the options that exist for YOU.
How did you pay for college?
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Spring 2022 Webinar Series

Spring is a vital time for transitioning your career and college plans to next Fall. Join us for our Spring Series featuring three live, virtual events to about the several steps you can be taking this spring and summer to ensure a successful next Fall.

Graduation and Beyond: Your College & Career Plans

The transition from high school to college can be challenging for many students. This Webinar will provide advice and tips to help make the transition from high school to college a smooth one. Whether you’re attending a university, community college, or trade school, our panel of college students will provide vital information for the summer and discuss lessons learned in their first year of college.


REGISTER HERE

Winter 2022 Webinar Series Videos

If you were unable to attend Financial Aid and Scholarships Season in February, catch up by watching the video below. Videos from past events can be found at bwcan.org or on YouTube.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Season

News

Welcome New College Advisers

Please welcome St. Clair County's two new college advisers, Anelise Merchant and Skye Jarskey. Anelise and Skye were recently hired at East China School District as part of AdviseMI ARPA Expansion to help the Class of 2022 explore and prepare for the postsecondary plans. Skye is serving as the college adviser at Marine City High School and Riverview East High School while Anelise supports St. Clair High School and East China Virtual Academy.

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SAT Prep Resources Available

SAT Prep Resources Available

BWCAN hosted SAT Prep workshops in March, facilitated by local teachers. Whether you were able to attend or couldn't make it, their resources are now available at bwcan.org.
SAT Prep Resources Available
What You Need to Know About the FAFSA Priority Deadline Extension

What You Need to Know About the FAFSA Priority Deadline Extension

Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) explains:


Earlier this month, the Michigan Department of Treasury announced the FAFSA priority deadline has been extended to May 1, 2022. For the 2022-23 academic year, FAFSA submissions received at the federal processor on or before May 1 will be given priority consideration for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant.


So what does this mean for students? The Michigan priority deadline is not a hard deadline, but submitting the FAFSA before May 1 maximizes students' access to the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant. After that date, other state financial aid opportunities are still available. The Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant may also be available after the priority deadline, depending on how much funding remains after scholarships are awarded to students who submitted by May 1. The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2023 (that's next year!), so even if a student misses the May 1 deadline, they still have plenty of time to file the FAFSA and see if they qualify for Pell Grants or other financial aid opportunities.


In other words, it's (almost) never to late to file the FAFSA!


Learn more at FAFSA.gov →

What You Need to Know About the FAFSA Priority Deadline Extension
Still not sure about FAFSA? Let a college adviser explain.

Still not sure about FAFSA? Let a college adviser explain.

Brandon Wardlow, an AdviseMI college adviser serving at Port Huron High School, worked with MCAN to write a piece about FAFSA myths and misconceptions. Check out Brandon's op-ed on the Bridge Michigan website.


Read it here →

Still not sure about FAFSA? Let a college adviser explain.
St. Clair TEC Shadows

St. Clair TEC Shadows

Students interested in doing a TEC shadow should sign-up with their high school counselor.
St. Clair TEC Shadows
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Earn a FREE degree, certificate, and/or industry credential while in high school

The Career & Technical Middle College at St. Clair TEC allows students to pursue career-oriented studies in both the high school and college setting while earning college credit at no cost. CTMC students can earn an associate degree through an additional year of study.

Students in the CTMC remain students of their home high school. CTMC students take high school classes at their high school, as well as taking technical classes at TEC and college classes at St. Clair County Community College.

Students participating in the Career and Technical Middle College will, in year 11 of high school, take classes at their high school and at TEC. In year 12, they will take their classes at TEC and SC4. In year 13, virtually all their classes will be at SC4. At the end of that 13th year, students can earn an associate degree or certificate program from the college.

The CTMC is available to students in the following programs:

  • Computer Programming
  • Cybersecurity
  • Digital Media Technology
  • Engineering & Robotics
  • Health
  • Metal Machining
  • Welding
Blue Water Middle College Open House March 22nd

Blue Water Middle College Open House March 22nd

The Blue Water Middle College open house can help you decide if the middle college fits you. Staff will be available to answer all your questions, show you how easy it is to add the Middle College to your high school experience, and walk you through the enrollment process.


The BWMC is located on the campus of St. Clair County Community College in the Applied Technology Center. We hope to see you there!

Blue Water Middle College Open House March 22nd
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Colleges with Free Applications 2021-22

The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has compiled a list of Michigan colleges with no application fee during the 2021-22 school year.

Counselor Corner

Each month, counselors can find current college and career counseling information and professional learning opportunities in the Counselor Corner section of the BWCAN newsletter. A running compilation of opportunities can also be found on the Counselors page at bwcan.org.
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Xello and MCAN Professional Development Webinar Series

Michigan College Access Network is proud to partner with Xello to host a new series of professional development webinars for K-12 educators in Michigan. Together with Xello, a modern college, career, and future readiness software, we are excited to offer this opportunity to our network.

We will be co-hosting a free 8-part monthly webinar series that will focus on timely topics like how to address disrupted learning and how to use your limited time to best serve students applying for college. You don't need to commit to the whole series; register for the topics that fit your interests and schedule. Earn SCECHs while learning how to use Xello to meet Michigan's Career Development Program requirements and help your students build their Educational Development Plans.


Upcoming Sessions:

April 26: Expansion Ideas to Level Up Your CCR Program

See how Xello features can reduce the amount of inbound inquiries you receive at this time of the year. Plus, hear tips on how to get through this busy season.


May 17: CCR Year in Review - Strategies for 2022/23

Join our panel to hear the importance of a K-12 approach, and how to launch and improve a K-12 college & career readiness program that prioritizes student engagement in future planning.


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER

Contact Nick Beaudry, Supervisor of Career and College Programs, St. Clair County RESA

Contact Nick Beaudry, Supervisor of Career and College Programs, St. Clair County RESA

Contact Nick Beaudry, Supervisor of Career and College Programs, St. Clair County RESA

499 Range Road, Marysville, MI, USA beaudry.nick@sccresa.org 810.455.4261 bwcan.org
Blue Water College Access Network

For more college-going information, resources, and events, visit the BWCAN website.