Class of 2026 Promise News

If you are graduating with your high school diploma from one of our partner high schools during this school year, and you have a GPA of 2.50 or higher, you might qualify for the Muskegon Area Promise. Students must also live in one of the Muskegon Area high school districts. Homeschooled students can also qualify. Click our logo to learn more.

If you attend a public, private, or charter high school in the Muskegon Area ISD service area, we will be checking GPAs once the first trimester/semester grades are in for all high schools. If you haven't already accepted your Promise scholarship, watch your student email for your acceptance letter.

You can use it at:

• Baker College of Muskegon
• Muskegon Community College
• NUVO College of Cosmetology
• Other local training centers in Muskegon
• As a summer guest student between semesters if you are attending somewhere else

In November, you started looking for scholarships. Many of those scholarship applications are due between January and March 1. Check the deadlines, finish the applications, send any other required paperwork. The application might require:

• Essay or short answer questions
• Application form (online or on paper)
• High school transcripts
• Proof of completed FAFSA

While the Promise covers a lot of costs, some scholarships cover additional costs. They might cover laptops, books and ebooks, equipment for labs or speciality classes, supplies, transportation costs, and more. If you don't apply, you could miss out.

Xello has a college scholarship section where I've added scholarships that you can apply for. There is also a scholarship database linked there.

Now that you've started getting acceptance notices from the colleges that you've applied for, it's time to make sure you meet their institutional scholarship deadlines.

Check each college's website for a scholarship or financial aid page. Login to your college student portal, even if you haven't decided which one to attend. Some scholarships are automatic, but most colleges have additional scholarships and grants that you have to apply for. This is the month to do it.

• MCC students can start looking here: https://www.muskegoncc.edu/paying-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-aid/mcc-scholarships/
• Baker students can start looking here: https://www.baker.edu/admissions-and-aid/tuition-and-aid/scholarships/

Additionally, some colleges require you to fill out their own financial aid forms. These can found online or will be sent to you via mail or email. Visit your college website(s) or contact the financial aid office to see if they require any additional institutional forms.

The Community Foundation for Muskegon County hosts over 270 scholarships with a single application. They have scholarships for almost every career and college path and location. These are only available to local students, so one application gives you a higher chance of getting a scholarship.

When you apply, highlight your accomplishments. Be professional.

• Capitalize your name and other proper nouns (city, street name, school names).
• Write in complete sentences
• Use spell check and grammar check (Grammarly is easy and free to use.)
• Have someone who has the skills proofread it.

There are 3 short-answer essays (about 4-5 sentences each).

• Explain your career and education goals.
• Talk about what or who gives you hope. (Who or what inspires you to be in your future career and/or college path?)
• Make sure to highlight your community involvement.
• Anything Else? This is where you can include backup schools (if you didn't in question 1), jobs you've had, sports involvement, school clubs, religious organizations you are involved in, or other interests and skills.
• Financial circumstances - Sometimes the FAFSA isn't a current representation of your financial circumstances. This is where you can address financial concerns you have paying for college.

1. Search for emails to archive.
2. Delete irrelevant emails.
3. Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletter.
4. Create a signature.

Only do this if your college requires it. Check the list to see if your college requires a CSS Profile. Visit cssprofile.collegeboard.org to complete your CSS Profile.

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.
• Have a qualifying GPA of 2.500+ at their high school. This GPA must be unweighted and cumulative.
• 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.