Promise News

Class of 2025 students are eligible for the Promise if they:

• Complete the FAFSA for 2025-2026 (opens December 1, 2024).
• Live in the Muskegon Area ISD (MAISD) boundaries. You can check your address here.
• Graduate with a high school diploma from a school in the MAISD or be in a registered homeschool.
• Have a qualifying GPA. This includes students with a 3.000+ cumulative unweighted GPA when they graduate, students in the top 30% of their class with a 2.500+, and students who complete at least 1 full year at CTC with a 3.000+ at CTC and have a 2.500+ at their high school.
• Attend Baker College of Muskegon or Muskegon Community College.

It's a good idea to apply to more than one college. You can find a list of Michigan Institutions here. Think of your college options as one of the following:

• Reach - schools that you want to get into, but they are competitive.
• Target - schools that you are relatively sure you can get in to and that you want to attend.
• Safety - schools that you have no doubt will accept you and schools that have a "right-to-try" policy.

Apply to at least one of each of these types of colleges. This can help open new opportunities that you didn't expect.

• Use your personal email. Not your school email. Not your mom's email. If you don't have one, you need to make one that is professional.
• Be sure that the college offers a major that is related to your future career choice.

Common App

Students can access the Common App in Xello. This allows you to track all of your college applications (Common App or direct applications) in one place.

A majority of Michigan institutions never have an application fee, and others have agreed to waive their fees in October. See the list here!

Students with financial need should check with their high school counselor about additional fee waivers.

You will need to send an official transcript to any college that you apply to. Many high schools in Muskegon County use a service like Parchment. If you aren't sure, check your counseling office or on your school's website.

You will need to send a second transcript after your graduate to the college that you decide to actually attend. (More about this in the spring)

Your best starting point is always your high school counselor. If you attend CTC, you can also check in with Mrs. Wiles.

Some schools have a college advisor or other staff who help students with college-going activities.

You can always contact the admissions office at the college(s) you are considering. They can help with their school's specific application.

I'm available to work with any potential promise student. You can schedule to meet online or in person at your high school (see below) if you need help. I also work with your high school counselors on many college-going activities.