Two of the AmeriCorps programs in question were administered by the Michigan College Access Network. With the return of federal funding following a heated legal battle, AdviseMI and College Completion Corps have both now been relaunched.

“I think it's hurtful to call programs waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, the executive director of the Michigan College Access Network. “Fire trucks are not waste, fraud, and abuse. Scholarships for police officers are not waste, fraud, and abuse.”

Qualifying students can get federal grants, aid from the institutions they attend and Michigan offers more than a dozen scholarships and grants to make earning a credential more affordable. During the 2023-24 academic year, the state awarded $375.4 million in financial aid to 117,336 students, according to Michigan’s Scholarships and Grants Annual Report.

Due to advocacy work and successful legal challenges lodged against President Donald Trump’s administration, funding for several programs has been restored, allowing the Michigan College Access Network to relaunch the programs last month.

Millions of dollars in AmeriCorps funding has been restored in Michigan, putting high school and college counselors back on campuses around the state after a temporary funding pause earlier this year. The financial boost allows programs like AdviseMI to resume operations, including at East Lansing Public Schools, where college adviser Candace Moore works with students to explore college options and plan for their futures.

The grant will fund several initiatives at the tribal college. The school plans to expand its Learning Assistant program and launch a Summer Bridge program to help new students adjust to college-level coursework. Faculty members will also participate in the Michigan College Access Network Gateway Course Redesign, starting with English and math courses.

The Michigan College Access Network awarded Bay College with the Endurance Award. Bay won the award at MCAN’s 14th Annual Conference in Lansing earlier this month. Bay College President Nerita Hughes says the college won for its creativity in working with K-12, as well as with other colleges. She says the award helps de-stigmatize community college.

Lapeer High School counselor Julie Pecore has been recognized for her efforts to prepare students for college and inspire their pursuits of postsecondary degrees.

“As we celebrate College Month, we also want to recognize the incredible work of Michigan College Access Network,” Director of Admissions Jessica Beaver said. “MCAN provides valuable resources to students and families preparing for college from financial aid guidance to college planning tools, they help make higher education more accessible across the state of Michigan.”

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) has been selected as one of 14 Michigan institutions to participate in the inaugural Gateway Course Redesign Faculty Academy, an 18-month initiative by the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) in collaboration with Almy Education and Sova.