Blue Water College Access Network

Welcome to your resource for planning, preparing, and going to college after high school. Blue Water College Access Network is here to provide information and opportunities that will ensure you graduate confidently prepared, with plans for career and college beyond high school. Whether you choose to go on to earn a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, or an industry credential, we can help you get there!

Each month, we will publish a newsletter to keep you on track, informed, and engaged in college activities provided by organizations across the county. To subscribe to the newsletter, submit your email address using this form. Past editions of the newsletter can be found at bwcan.org. Contact Nick Beaudry with any questions you might have at beaudry.nick@sccresa.org.

Class of 2023 Michigan high school students can choose to attend an eligible Michigan college to receive the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and lower their cost of college by thousands of dollars a year. Students will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this scholarship opportunity.

Students who are eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship may receive more financial aid from the State of Michigan:

• Up to $2,000 if they attend an eligible training provider in Michigan, per year, up to two years
• Up to $2,750 if they attend a Michigan community college, per year, up to three years
• Up to $4,000 if they attend a Michigan private college or university, per year, up to five years
• Up to $5,500 if they attend a Michigan public university, per year, up to five years

Students will be eligible if their family demonstrates financial need* when they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

*Financial need is defined as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $25,000 or less.

High school seniors or students earning their high school equivalency or certificate of completion in 2023 can get started by filing the FAFSA.

Visit michigan.gov/achievement for program information, frequently asked questions and more.

High school students and families interested in learning more about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship are encouraged to register for an informational webinar provided by Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid team. Participants will be able to gather the following information:

• Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
• Important action items for students and families
• Additional resources and program information

All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Please register for one session only, as space is limited.

• April 18 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• May 2 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Not able to attend one of the informational sessions? You can view a recording of the presentation.

2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Michigan Priority Deadline: May 1

The 2023-24 FASA opened Oct. 1. Incoming and returning students can apply. The application will remain open until June 30, 2024, but Michigan students should complete the FAFSA before May 1, 2023, to get priority consideration for state-based scholarship programs. Financial aid deadlines at postsecondary institutions may be even earlier. Submitting the FAFSA is free and there is no income limit; please encourage all students to apply as soon as possible!

Learn more and complete the FAFSA →

Students and families that have completed their FAFSA and have received their award letter from their chosen institutions are encouraged to register for an informational webinar provided by Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid team. Participants will be able to gather the following information:

• How to compare college financial aid award letters
• Tools to help students/families make the best financial decision
• Better understand the individual scholarships, grants, and loans offered
• Scholarship search resources and easy to use budgeting tools
• Submit general aid related questions via Q&A and receive real-time answers

All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Please register for one session only, as space is limited.

• April 27 at 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Not able to attend one of the virtual sessions? You can view a recording of the presentation.

For more resources, visit Understanding Your Award Letter.

The Spring is a vital time for you and your family to begin transitioning your career & college plans into the summer in preparation for next Fall. These live, virtual events will provide you with the information, resources, and advice from the experts to help you make well-informed decisions for your future career & college plans. Sign up for your Class webinar today!

Each month, we feature a video from the "How to College" series produced by the Study Hall Program, a partnership between Crash Course and Arizona State University. The Study Hall Program is in the process of publishing the 15-video series, and we will feature a video each month over 16 months.

In this month's video, How to Work in College, Erica walks through some of the ways you can find work and make sure you're balancing work with your studies and your personal life. Which are ALL important. Get a list of upcoming episodes for Fast Guides and How to College at https://gostudyhall.com/

Because there's a lot of information to keep track of when you're applying to college, Crash Course made an easy spreadsheet to help you compare schools, keep track of application requirements, and set your goals! Copy this free template and make it your own: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ycGCb-JeGpiu0LLJCUVvV_Zlm5W8u5eimgk3N3blmug/edit#gid=0

To preview upcoming topics, check out the episode guide.

From the Study Hall Program:

Dr. Erica Brozovsky (from PBS's Otherwords) hosts and breaks down how to apply for, succeed at, and graduate from college. We hope you'll join us for this journey and check out our all new Study Hall Channel where you can watch Fast Guides about college majors and even more series. Get a list of upcoming episodes for Fast Guides and How to College at https://gostudyhall.com/

Each month, counselors can find current college and career counseling information and professional learning opportunities in the Counselor Corner section of the BWCAN newsletter. A running compilation of opportunities can also be found on the Counselors page at bwcan.org.

Counselors looking for opportunities to earn credits to renew their certificates have flexible free online courses that may fulfill your needs:

Michigan Virtual Counselor Courses - various SCECH Credits

Understanding the Modern Military - 5 SCECH Credits

MCAN Upcoming Webinars - .5-1 SCECH Credit each

MCAN Webinar Recordings - 1 Credit each

Full list from MDE: Free and Low-Cost Online Professional Learning Options Approved for Certificate Renewal and Progression

2023 MSCA Virtual Spring Conference: EMPOWERING STUDENTS THROUGH CTE

April 28, 2023, | 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Intended Audience:

K-12 School Counselors and Administrators

Conference Objectives:

• Identify the benefits of CTE, including work-based learning and industry-valued credentials, while ensuring equitable access.
• Discuss career planning strategies for students identified as special populations.
• Review career advising strategies, resources, and processes to empower students to explore future career options

Earn 7.5 Career SCECHs at no additional cost.

We will share a google form for registrants to request SCECHs after the event.

Registration:

MSCA Members (all categories $50)

Non-Members $65

REGISTER HERE

SC4 has a handy webpage for those guiding students' college and career planning. Check it out here: https://sc4.edu/admissions/high-school-counselors/

Registration is now open for the 2022-23 cycle of College Bound Michigan, MCAN's suite of initiatives designed to build and support college-going cultures in high schools and their surrounding communities. This program helps school counselors, college advisers, and other educators create systems and practices that connect all students with the opportunity for formal education beyond high school, including postsecondary certificates and academic degrees.

CBMI brings together all of the statewide initiatives — Michigan College Month, College Cash Campaign, and College Decision Day — into one campaign to help bring Michigan closer to Sixty by 30. Click the register button below to learn more and sign up. Current CBMI sites, be sure to register to ensure you are included as a host site for next year! Registration will remain open through the fall, but signing up now ensures timely delivery of resources and takes something off your summer/fall to-do list.

Why should my school sign up?

As a CBMI Host Site, you will have access to:

• Exclusive grant opportunities
• Promotional materials
• Student-facing, grab-and-go resources
• Counselor/adviser-facing toolkits and implementation guides
• Professional development opportunities
  

REGISTER

Questions?

Contact Kiersten Nolan, MCAN’s strategy assistant for high school innovation, with any questions about CBMI eligibility or programming at 517-316-1713 or kiersten@micollegeaccess.org.

Email: beaudry.nick@sccresa.org
Website: bwcan.org
Location: 499 Range Road, Marysville, MI, USA
Phone: 810.455.4261
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueWaterCAN/
Twitter: @BlueWaterCAN