News Articles
News Articles
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan college students struggle with housing, food. Program aims to help
August 14, 2026
Bridge Michigan
In Michigan, 20% of college students have experienced food insecurity, 44% have grappled with housing insecurity and 47% have had unmet financial needs even after financial aid, according to a report released last year by the state’s Student Basic Needs Task Force.
Higher Education Innovation
New program eases college application process in Michigan
August 12, 2026
WLNS
The Michigan College Access Network is rolling out a new program to streamline the college application process. According to a news release, MI College Match, which MCAN created in partnership with EAB, an education and technology company, will ensure that participating students receive an offer to attend college without having to fill out a single application.
Higher Education Innovation
University of Michigan’s proposed pass/fail pilot program sparks debate over freshman grades
August 12, 2026
WILX
Ryan Fewins-Bliss of the Michigan College Access Network said the program could help students find success. “I think it’s really cutting edge. I think it’s very responsive to what they’re hearing from students,” he told News 10. He said the broader goal is student readiness beyond the classroom.
Higher Education Innovation
Kalamazoo College joins MI College Match, offering direct admission to qualified students
August 12, 2026
News Channel 3
Helping students find the right college: that's the goal of Michigan's new statewide direct admission initiative - and Kalamazoo College has joined in. Wednesday, Kalamazoo College announced they joined MI College Match, a program that helps colleges identify students across the state who are an academic fit and offer them admission directly.
Community Mobilization
New partnership brings college and career resources to Detroit neighborhoods
August 10, 2026
Michigan Advance
Graduate 313, a partnership between the Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation and Detroit College Access Network, aims to expand educational opportunities for Detroiters in what organizers describe as a first-of-its-kind, neighborhood-based college and career success initiative backed by a $3.5 million investment.
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan Reconnect expands free community college eligibility to age 21
August 9, 2026
Michigan Public
Michigan’s largest free tuition program for adults to attend community college has lowered its eligibility to 21. Traditionally, adults 25 and older have been eligible for Michigan Reconnect. In the state’s 2027 education budget, lawmakers have included an additional $25 million to expand the program for 21- to 24-year old Michigan residents.
All Areas of Work
When college access grows, Michigan reaps the benefits
August 6, 2026
The Daily Press
Yes, barriers do exist. But frustrations with cost, debt and completion should push us to remove barriers, not dismiss these opportunities -- and Michigan can't afford to discourage students from college when 84% of high-demand jobs require at least some higher education.
All Areas of Work
New $750,000 Grants Awarded to Promote the Value of Education Beyond High School
August 5, 2026
The Daily Press
MCAN's project aims to support innovative communication strategies, research-driven campaigns, and community outreach initiatives to elevate public understanding of how higher education contributes to individual, family, and community success. To address rising skepticism about the return on investment on postsecondary education, the grant will support projects that communicate the benefits of higher education and test new approaches to reaching prospective students and their families.
Adult Student Attainment
Michigan fills free college gap, lowers eligibility to 21 — for now
July 31, 2026
Bridge Michigan
Lawmakers included in the state’s 2027 education budget an additional $25 million to expand eligibility to include 21- to 24-year-old residents in Michigan Reconnect starting this fall. Previously, the program, which covers tuition and fees for up to four years at the state’s 30 community and tribal colleges, was for residents 25 or older.
Community Mobilization
Foundation grants $3.5M to expand Detroit college access through neighborhood hubs
July 27, 2026
Crain's Detroit Business
The Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation and Detroit College Access Network are launching an initiative that will provide a free neighborhood-based source of information and assistance to Detroiters looking to attend college, from middle schoolers to adults, and support to help those already in college complete their degrees. The foundation has made a three-year, $3.5 million grant to DCAN to fund leased sites on the city’s east and west sides to provide “agnostic college advising,” independent of affiliation with any specific institution, and other support.
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan expands college aid, tuition-free programs in new education budget
July 22, 2026
MLive
Thousands more Michigan students could qualify for a tuition boost to college under the latest state education budget signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday. While most of the $22.9 billion package addresses State School Aid for K-12 education, Michigan lawmakers have allocated $2.2 billion to university and community college operations — in part extolling the state’s goal to have 60% of working adults with a degree or skills certificate by 2030.
Higher Education Innovation
Whitmer signs state budget, education funding and housing bills into law
July 22, 2026
Michigan Advance
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed her eighth and final education budget into law Tuesday at an event in Southfield, celebrating wins in continuing to fund free school meals, free pre-K, free community colleges and what Whitmer’s office called a “historic investment in student literacy.”
Higher Education Innovation
Whitmer signs education budget: What to know about college affordability
July 21, 2026
Bridge Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed her final, $22.9 billion education budget Tuesday — a plan that not only continues the state’s efforts to improve literacy but also throws more money into the push to boost college enrollment. Whitmer has set a goal that by 2030, 60% of working age adults in Michigan will have a skills certificate or college degree, up from the current 51.6%.
Higher Education Innovation
What does the federal "Do No Harm" provision mean for Michigan students?
July 17, 2026
CBS News
On July 1, the U.S. Department of Education began rolling out an accountability test that aims to hold colleges accountable for the earnings outcomes of their graduates.
High School Innovation
Tuition rising at Michigan’s public universities as budgets tighten
July 10, 2026
Michigan Public
Michigan’s public universities are raising tuition price this fall as they grapple with rising costs and years of flat or uncertain state funding. All 10 of the state’s largest public four-year universities have approved increases for the coming school year, but many say they are expanding financial aid to soften the impact for students.
High School Innovation
Michigan public university tuition on the rise due to fading investment from state
July 10, 2026
CBS News
According to the Michigan Association of State Universities, state funding used to account for 70% of the operating budget for public universities in Michigan. That was 45 years ago. Today, that number is only 22%.
Community Mobilization
New initiative to help Kent County students reach vital milestone awarded Steelcase grant
July 10, 2026
MLive
Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) received a two-year, $160,000 grant from the Steelcase Foundation to launch the Kent County Attainment Accelerator. The place-based initiative is aimed at strengthening postsecondary access and success efforts already underway across Kent County.
Higher Education Innovation
Universities, colleges pan ‘one-time’ 1% operational increases
July 9, 2026
Gongwer
Organizations representing the state’s public universities and community colleges were disappointed in the 1% operational increases the higher education institutions received in the 2026-27 fiscal year budget passed last week.