With a “better” FAFSA, the new Community College Guarantee, and the same old challenges of getting on track for college, prospective college students need support. That’s why the Mason County District Library, Mason College Access Network, Mason County Promise Zone and West Shore Community College have teamed up to offer drop-in college access support over the next two weeks at both the Ludington and Scottville branches, they announced in a press release.

This summer, the Lapeer County College Access Network is striving to ensure that college-intending students complete their enrollment processes and avoid falling into a phenomenon known as “summer melt.”

It can be overwhelming, but Midland Area Career and College Access Network hopes to remove as many barriers as possible for post-secondary education, said Kristin Sovis, post-secondary education leader.

Tess O’Neal, an AmeriCorps member serving with the AdviseMI initiative in Ludington High School and a graduate of the school, said that it’s a “team effort” to provide information about financial aid opportunities.

Beecher High School is one of eleven high schools in the TV5 area participating in AdviseMI for this school year. Funding for the program comes from AmeriCorps.

The Michigan Community Service Commission announced Wednesday that Michigan has received $15.5 million in AmeriCorps funding to support the work of over 1,100 AmeriCorps members as they tackle some of the state’s toughest challenges.

For AmeriCorps college and career adviser and Belding native Makennah Rousseau, her mission is to now provide guidance and support that was missing during her own time at Belding High School.

On Tuesday, Taratuta is hosting a scholarship application setup in the senior lounge at Alpena High School, to answer questions about scholarship applications or any questions students might have in general about college.

The Michigan College Access Network recently awarded its Ombudsman Award to four school counselors statewide, including Brandon Wardlow, who is currently a long-term substitute math teacher at Holland Woods Middle School.

Alpena school officials last week received kudos from a statewide organization that recognized the district for strong steps in opening the door for students to attend college.