Class of 2026 Promise News

It's April, and college-going activities are ramping up. Starting with...

• Institutional scholarships: These are scholarships awarded by your institution (college, trade school, university).
• Housing: Where you live while attending your institution.
• Course planning: choosing your classes in your student information system.
• Course registration: actually clicking the register button for the classes you saved.

College Decision Day is coming (May 1 for many colleges). If you have institutional scholarships or housing through the college, pay attention to decision days and let each college you applied to know if you plan to attend. Community colleges may have rolling enrollment days, but their institutional scholarship deadlines are set.

You will also hear from other scholarship and grant committees soon (Like the Community Foundation for Muskegon County). Pay attention to scholarship acceptance deadlines. If you get an award, but don't accept it by the deadline, they may end up giving it to their next choice. If you have changed your plans, you can let them know and ask about deferring (pausing) the scholarship or using it at a different college. Not all scholarships can be deferred or moved, but you can always ask.

Your Michigan Achievement Award (including the Community College Guarantee and Skilled Trades Scholarship) money goes to the first college in Michigan that you listed on your FAFSA. This is true for most Michigan scholarships and grants (like the Michigan TIP). Make sure that either your FAFSA or your MiSSG portal have the correct college listed.

This one is simple in theory, but may feel like a big decision.

• Let your college know you are coming. This may mean putting down a deposit, accepting institutional scholarships, and/or chosing housing.
• Notify any private or state scholarships of your college choice. If it changes over the summer, let them know again. This helps them get your scholarships to the right college before your bills are due.
• Check your FAFSA and be sure your college is listed first (or is the only one listed). This makes sure that your Federal and State awards go to the right place on time.

Most 4-year colleges and universities require a non-refundable down payment to hold your spot at the college, usually due by May 1. Also check for housing deposits and selection deadlines if you plan to live on campus.

Meet with your college’s counselor to be sure the classes match your degree. Check for the first day that you can register for classes. Add it to your calendar and login to your student portal to complete class registration. Class sections (dates and times) are often first-come, first-serve. College information systems (like MyMCC or MyBaker) let you plan your classes in advance. If you don't go back and click "register," you are not signed up for classes. The REGISTER button rules.

If you don't get into the section you want, join the waitlist and pay attention to emails. If a spot opens up, you may only have 24 hours to accept it before it goes to the next person. Sign up for a different section or class while you wait, just in case.

You should have your financial aid information for each college that you applied for. Compare them. Ask your parents, counselor, college advisor, or Promise specialist if you need help figuring it out.

Private scholarships (like the Promise or Community Foundation) might not appear until later this summer.

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 financial aid office at a college for help. Not sure where that is, just ask.

I'm available to work with any potential promise student or parent. You can schedule to meet online or in person at the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center if you need help. I also work with your high school counselors on many college-going activities.

Class of 2026 students are eligible for the Promise if they:

• Complete the FAFSA for 2026-2027 (opens October 1).
• 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.
• Attend one of our partner post-secondary centers: Baker College of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College, NUVO College of Cosmetology, or another local training center.

* Student who finish their associate's degree while in high school (like early college students) can use their award towards a Bachelor's degree at Baker College of Muskegon. Please see your Early College advisor if you need summer classes after your 13th year. The Promise can help.