News Articles
News Articles
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The FAFSA woes complicating federal college aid are especially acute for some Detroit students
May 20, 2024
Chalkbeat Detroit
In Detroit, these problems have tested the resilience of vulnerable young people already facing barriers to higher education. It is a roadblock that looms large in a city where just 17% of residents hold a college degree.
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State programs aim to address decrease in FAFSA applications
May 3, 2024
WXMQ 19 News
State outreach programs have been working to get students and families the assistance they need to submit their FAFSA. The newest program is from the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) and the Office of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). It’s called the Retired Educator FAFSA Specialists Program, or REFS.
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FAFSA setbacks delaying college decision day
May 1, 2024
WILX
Setbacks in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are pushing back enrollment deadlines for some universities. The delays come as FAFSA implemented big changes to their process this year.
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'It's a stressful time': Financial aid delay has college decisions on hold in Michigan
April 21, 2024
The Detroit News
The U.S. Department of Education's late rollout is just one issue that has plagued the search for financial aid this spring for graduating high school seniors and their families. It's also created uncertainty and delays for some students in knowing how much financial aid for which they will qualify to make paying for college more affordable.
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FAFSA fiasco leaves Michigan students, families in ‘anxiety inducing’ limbo
April 19, 2024
Bridge Michigan
In Michigan, the FAFSA fiasco carries an extra wrinkle of anxiety: The form is also the gateway for students to qualify for a state scholarship program that could also reduce the cost of college.
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Michigan Business Beat | Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN - FAFSA Week Of Action - April 15-19
April 19, 2024
Michigan Business Beat
Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network, to discuss MCAN's focus on FAFSA Week of Action and associated efforts.
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Michigan FAFSA challenges: High school seniors slow to fill out form
April 1, 2024
Bridge Michigan
Michigan ranks 27th in states for the rate of high school seniors who have submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, according to the National College Attainment Network.
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Michigan Business Beat | Jamie Jacobs, MCAN Responds To Policy Updates By SoS And MI Fiscal Budget
March 26, 2024
Michigan Business Beat
Chris Holman welcomes Jamie Jacobs, MCAN deputy director, to discuss MCAN's efforts in 2024 and how it's reacting to policy and planning from agencies in Lansing as it impacts college affordability and access in Michigan.
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Amid FAFSA Delays, Whitmer Urges Students To Complete Form
March 21, 2024
Gongwer
Governor Gretchen Whitmer arrived at Saginaw High School Thursday prepared to urge a group of college-bound seniors to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a mammoth form of financial information that can secure students thousands of dollars in scholarships or loans.
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Midland Area Career and College Access Network helps future students get to college
March 11, 2024
Huron Daily Tribune
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.
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Free community college could be a game-changer if colleges can boost graduation rates
March 5, 2024
Michigan Advance
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed making community college free to high school graduates, a major policy initiative she says will boost incomes, give students a more affordable path to obtaining bachelor’s degrees and provide advanced manufacturers that are “reshoring” operations with talented workers.
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House Approps Considers Expansion For Promise Zone Funds
February 21, 2024
Gongwer
The Legislature could expand what constitutes an educational expense in school promise zones under a bill presented to the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning.
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Wayne State, Central Michigan push back deadlines because of FAFSA delay
February 15, 2024
Bridge Michigan
Some Michigan colleges and universities are pushing back deadlines to help prospective students handle delays related to a revamped federal financial aid form.
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Budget: Guarantee Community College, Phase Out Other Aid Programs
February 8, 2024
Gongwer
Governor Gretchen Whitmer's budget proposal would provide an additional $30 million toward the administration's key scholarship program to fund two years of community college for future high school graduates in the state while moving to phase out other aid programs.
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How delays in college financial aid offers will affect Michigan students
February 1, 2024
Bridge Michigan
Michigan high school seniors will have to wait longer to get financial aid offers from colleges this year, adding stress to an already stressful process.
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Royal Oak MS Assistant Principal Picked For Leadership Fellow
January 30, 2024
Patch
Royal Oak Middle School Assistant Principal Jason Henshaw was selected as a distinguished member of the inaugural cohort of the Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows.
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Workshops scheduled in Detroit, elsewhere to help students apply for college aid
January 24, 2024
The Detroit News
Nearly 20,000 more Michigan students are expected to be eligible for a Pell Grant in 2024-25 and thousands of dollars are available for Michigan students to cover costs of a postsecondary education.
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University enrollment is up in Michigan, but big schools far outpacing smaller colleges
January 22, 2024
Lansing State Journal
For the first time in 12 years, Michigan higher education enrollment is on the rise, a statistic experts said is a good sign for the future economy of the state. It's not good news for all Michigan public universities, however. The largest schools, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, are seeing more students enroll but smaller schools like Central Michigan University continue to battle falling enrollment.