Blue Water College Access Network
St. Clair County's College Resource | December 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.
2024-25 Better FAFSA Family Guide
The all new 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), branded as the Better FAFSA, will launch on December 31st. To help students and families prepare their applications over winter break, here is a guide featuring key information about significant updates and steps to complete prior to the New Year.
Michigan's Public Universities Guide to Admissions | 2023-24
Plus Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities and Certificate Programs in Michigan
Michigan's Public Universities Guide to Admissions for the 2023-24 school year. The last page features schools that participate in the Michigan Assured Admissions Pact (MAAP), admitting all Michigan high school graduates who earn a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or above (4.0 scale).
Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities has also compiled the Explore the Possibilities 2023-24 Guidebook, which not only provides an overview of each college or university, but also provides general information such as Types of College, Affordability, The Truth About Student Debt and more.
Interested in certificate programs in Michigan? Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has put together a directory of contacts for programs by school as well.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Choose your own path
Choose Students who graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma or certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after may be eligible for more financial aid from the State of Michigan:
- Up to $2,000 if they attend a career training program 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 or are enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at a Michigan community college, per year, up to five years
Students can choose to attend an eligible Michigan college or university to receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship or choose to attend a career training program in Michigan through the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship.
Receive up to $4,000 to Attend Career Training with the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship
Jobs requiring skilled employees today, as well as jobs on the horizon, demand greater education and training than ever before. Highly skilled individuals are in extraordinary demand for careers in fields such as healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, construction and automotive. Students can now save thousands of dollars while pursuing a rewarding career in the professional trades through the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship.
The Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship offers up to $4,000 over two years for graduating high school students to attend an eligible career training program in Michigan.
To be eligible for the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a Michigan resident for at least the immediately preceding year.
- Have graduated from high school in Michigan with a diploma or a certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after.
- Have not yet earned an associate or bachelor’s degree.
- Have not yet earned a degree, certificate or other credential with this scholarship.
To learn more and view a list of programs eligible to receive these scholarship funds visit Michigan.gov/Achievement.
Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Financial Aid Webinars
MI Student Aid is hosting informational webinars for students and families interested in learning more about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.* Virtual financial aid presentations are also available for students and families to learn more about other financial aid topics. Learn more about the informational webinars →
Learn more about virtual financial aid presentations →
St. Clair County Association of School Boards offering $1000 Scholarships
St. Clair County Association of School Boards (SCCASB) is once again offering $1000 Scholarships to up to seven (7) deserving high school seniors. These are competitive scholarships that will be awarded countywide. Any graduating senior student attending a high school or alternative high school in any of the seven local districts is eligible to apply.
Michigan Assured Admissions Pact (MAAP)
Beginning with the Class of 2024, 10 of Michigan's 15 public universities have committed to joining the Michigan Assured Admissions Pact. The MAAP ensures every Michigan high school graduate with a 3.0 GPA or higher will be admitted to participating universities.
MI Student Aid
Virtual Financial Aid Presentations
Students and families looking for help paying for college are encouraged to register for a Virtual Financial Aid Presentation provided by Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid team.
Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:
- FAFSA application information
- Federal financial aid programs
- State financial aid programs
- Scholarship searching resources
October 5, 2023 at 12 - 1 p.m.
October 19, 2023 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
November 2, 2023 at 12 - 1 p.m.
November 16, 2023 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Counselor Corner
NEW Mini Webinar Training Series
Don't forget to register for the Mini Webinar Training Series for High School Counselors and College Advisers! There are a variety of dates and topics to choose from and we encourage high school counselors and college advisers to register for ALL mini webinar trainings. The next mini webinar will take place on Thursday, November 16 at 10:30 AM and will provide an overview of the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP), best practices when scheduling a TIP Talk event and more. SCECH credit is available for attendees and information on how to obtain SCECH credit will shared during the webinar. Be sure to reserve your spot today!
Virtual Financial Aid Webinars
Students and families interested in learning about financial aid are encouraged to register for a virtual presentation provided by the MI Student Aid Outreach team.
Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:
- FAFSA application information
- Federal financial aid programs
- State financial aid programs
- Scholarship searching resources
The next virtual Financial Aid webinar will take place on Thursday, November 16 at 6:30 PM. There are multiple dates and times to choose from and all sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.
Virtual Financial Aid Webinars
Students and families interested in learning about financial aid are encouraged to register for a virtual presentation provided by the MI Student Aid Outreach team.
Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:
- FAFSA application information
- Federal financial aid programs
- State financial aid programs
- Scholarship searching resources
The next virtual Financial Aid webinar will take place on Thursday, November 16 at 6:30 PM. There are multiple dates and times to choose from and all sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.
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/
Resources for Supporting Students
Award Letters Are Arriving — Do Your Students Understand Them?
Students might need help navigating financial aid offers. These offers, often referred to as award letters, should spark conversations about college affordability between students, families and the professionals who help them along their postsecondary pathways.
Learn more about Award Letters here.
2023-24 FAFSA and FSA Updates: What Do You Need to Know?
National College Attainment Network highlights the latest changes in the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Learn more about the latest FAFSA changes here.
Virtual College Financial Aid Nights
MI Student Aid hosted virtual college financial aid nights for students and families looking for college financial assistance.
Watch 2022 Virtual Financial Aid recordings here and find information for 2023.
Admissions Updates from MI Colleges and Universities
This MCAN webinar series features sessions hosted by admissions experts from Michigan’s postsecondary institutions. Each webinar provides an overview of the admissions process from three institutions and addresses updates to their current admissions practices.
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