MCAN Conference
Michigan Pre-College and Youth Outreach Conference
Jackson ISD Poverty Simulation
FAFSA Updates
Typically, each year the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1st; however this year, the FAFSA is getting some updates, causing the opening date to be December 31, 2023. Upon the release of this NCAN article, we have learned some new important updates about the new FAFSA.
Some of the key takeaways are:
- During the "soft launch" period there will be "planned pauses" in which the FAFSA site will be down so that the site is not overloaded. These pauses will not come with advanced notices.
- After a FAFSA is submitted, students will receive a confirmation email and access to a confirmation page with their estimated Student Aid Index, or SAI, (replacement for EFC) and estimated federal aid eligibility.
- Students will not receive their FAFSA Submission Summary (new name for the Student Aid Report) until the end of January.
- With colleges not receiving FAFSA data until late January, they will need time to fully test their systems. This process may take weeks. Therefore, it is expected that students will not begin to receive aid offers until late February or March at the earliest.
We encourage students and parents to utilize the CCAC as a resource and for assistance when filing the FAFSA. Our team is receiving continuous information and training on the new FAFSA so that we are prepared to help. For more updates and information, please check our social media page or visit the Federal Student Aid website: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/topics/fafsa-simplification-information/2024-25-fafsa-updates.
President's Day FAFSA Event
Our President's Day FAFSA Event is right around the corner!! We are ready and looking forward to helping students and parents work through the new FAFSA. We do recommend that students and parents come prepared with their FSA ID already created a few days prior to the event. Students and parents are welcome to come to the Center to get their FSA ID created at any time.
We will be serving some FREE, delicious BBQ and giving out prizes for all students who attend the President's Day FAFSA Event on February 19, 2024!
Virtual County Workshops
Our Virtual County Workshop series will be continuing into the new year! These virtual workshops allow for students and families to participate in our services and complete important college and career planning steps from the comfort of home. Monthly topics include: college and scholarship action plans and applications, FAFSA completion, resume/cover letter construction, and Decision Day planning. Each workshop is an hour in length and designed to deliver useful resources and detailed information. At the end of each workshop students have the opportunity to ask questions and receive virtual assistance in completing their college or career tasks.
Kellogg Community College
The CCAC’s College of the Quarter is Kellogg Community College (KCC). Located in Battle Creek, Michigan, KCC was founded in 1956 by the Battle Creek Board of Education. KCC’s mission is “dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education to enrich our community and the lives of individual learners.” KCC has multiple campus sites including, Battle Creek, Albion, Coldwater, Hastings, and in the Fort Cluster Industrial Park.
KCC offers its students 60 pre-professional transfer curricula, 37 associate degree programs, 25 certificate program, 7 categories of professional certifications, and even some short-term, non-credit courses. To name a few, KCC has the following areas of study: Arts, Communication and English, Business and Computer Information Technology, Early Childhood and Teacher Education, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences. They also have skilled trade programs such as Manufacturing, Industrial Electricity and Electronics, Welding, and HVACR. To ensure their students’ success, KCC offers comprehensive academic advising and coaching, career services, transfer assistance, tutoring, and counseling. Aside from academics, KCC has over 15 clubs and organizations including, Art League, Film Club, Pokemon GO Club, and Students of Color Club. They also have 9 athletic teams.
The total cost of attendance for KCC is dependent on the total number of credit hours that a student is taking each semester. Financial aid is available to students who complete the FAFSA and qualify. KCC does have institutional scholarships and grants for which students can apply. To learn more about Kellogg Community College, be sure to visit this link: https://kellogg.edu/.
October 2023 Student of the Month: Rachel Keeler - Northwest High School
Meet the College and Career Access Center’s Student of the Month: Rachel Keeler is a Northwest High School senior, who has been proactive about her post-secondary plans since the beginning of the school year. This year, Rachel has connected with her College and Career Advisor, Skye Jarskey, who has helped her with college applications, scholarships, and general advice on college expectations. “I come into her office daily during my off-hour and she has helped me ease my anxiety greatly about college. She is always a joy to be around and I am very thankful that she came to my school," says Rachel.
After graduating high school, Rachel aspires to attend The University of Findlay to pursue a degree in pharmacy, driven by a deep-seated inspiration from her late grandfather. Rachel's dedication to organizing and understanding her grandfather’s medications sparked a passion for medicine and a commitment to aiding others in their health journeys.
In her free time, Rachel shows horses nationally and has shown in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. As the captain of a youth equestrian team and the president of a tri-state youth organization, Rachel leads with determination. A crowning achievement for her was securing fifth place at the country's largest breed show with her horse Collin (pictured with Rachel), which is a testament to her skill and dedication. “This class was made up of 30 of the best riders in my age division in the country and to place fifth with a horse I have trained mostly myself was extremely rewarding.”
For her peers, Rachel encourages everyone to get involved wherever they are and shares some words of encouragement quoting Winston Churchill, “Success is not final: failure is not final: it is the courage to continue that counts.” What a great quote to live by. Thank you for sharing your story, Rachel!
November 2023 Student of the Month: Ty Northrup - Jackson High School
Meet the College and Career Access Center’s Student of the Month: Ty Northrup is a Jackson High School senior with exciting post-secondary goals. His sights are set on attending the University of Michigan, where he will major in either Marine Engineering or Business and Economics. These areas of study will help pave the way for his future career goal of working for companies specializing in building sailboats and yachts.
Due to his family’s involvement in construction work, Ty developed an interest in problem-solving and building at a young age. Growing up, he had access to a workshop that allowed him to explore and develop his passions. He fondly recalls a pivotal project at the age of 15 - the restoration of a 1995 jet ski. This project along with spending a lot of time participating in water activities, and his passion for building and creating, inspired him to pursue his particular career path.
Ty is a competitive diver of 4 years. He also participates in a local Power Lifting Club and manages his own automotive detailing business that he started during the pandemic. One of his proudest accomplishments has been winning his 10th-grade CEO Challenge, where he had to pitch a business idea or product to a panel of judges. His product was a hybrid trailer for a jet ski. Reflecting on this achievement Ty shared, “It was my first time ever winning something like that and I was really proud of myself.”
Ty attributes much of his success to the unwavering support of his parents. Their encouragement of his dreams and self-discovery have made him who he is today. For his peers, Ty shared some words of encouragement, stating, “Stay consistent and try to avoid procrastination. You would be surprised at how much you can actually get done.” Thank you for sharing your story, Ty, and best of luck with all your future endeavors!
