Promise College News

Did you know that over 40% of college students who continue past their first year use tutoring services? The number is much lower for students who leave college without finishing their degree (25%). The numbers are similar for other support services provided by the college like academic advising, emergency financial aid, on-campus food banks, and campus-provided mental health services. (New America, 2023) .

In Michigan, adults with no high school diploma earned an average of $14,200 a year in entry-level jobs. This goes up to $21,700 for adults with a high school diploma. If you earn an associate degree, this more than doubles to $47,100. The wages go up from there for each next step (MISchoolData). 5 years into a job post-high school or post-college career, adults with a Bachelor's degree earn about $33,000 more per year than adults with a high school diploma.

All of our partners help students in many ways. But college staff aren't mind-readers. They don't know who needs help or what kind of help. They send emails and newsletter, and post information around campus and online. Then they wait for students to ask for help. College is all about advocating for yourself.

Muskegon Community College has an award-winning student success model that includes new Promise Success Coaches. Baker College's OneStop allows students to ask question or for assistance all in one place. NUVO's small student body means individual help.

Starting fall 2025, degree-seeking students using their Promise award at Baker, MCC, or NUVO have been awarded $500/semester for up to 2 semesters. This extra stipend can be used at the college for books, supplies, or any other direct or indirect cost of attendance. For many students, it helps cover the costs of books and/or course fees. If it isn't all used at the college, your college issues a refund to you.

We also provide your college with additional funds to have student support staff provide help with any college-going need (see above).

This section is for students earning their certificate or degree outside of Muskegon County.

Being a Guest Student means that you take college classes at a different college than you are earning your certificate or degree at. A lot of students do this to save time and money. Your scholarships at your home college might have annual limits or might not be available for summer classes. You might be returning home for the summer to save on rent or work a summer job. Whatever your reason, the Promise is here to help.

Here's a few benefits:

• The Muskegon Area Promise will cover tuition and mandatory fees for summer semester classes taken at Muskegon Community College (assuming you don't have a degree yet). There is even a Cost of Attendance (COA) stipend of $500 to help with non-tuition costs.
• Summer classes can help you graduate faster, save scholarship money at your home college, or lower your course load during fall and winter semesters.
• Summer classes cover the same material but generally in fewer weeks.
• Class sizes might be smaller than at a larger college or university.

Consider:

• Will the classes transfer to your home college? (Meet with your home college advisor for help.)
• Are you working a seasonal job or more hours in the summer? Be sure you are ready to balance work and school by checking the course syllabus for reading and homework loads.
• Check the start and end dates of classes with the end dates of your current semester and the start date of your fall semester.
• You do not need to list MCC on your FAFSA as a guest student.

How to Use the Promise as a Guest Student:

1. Accept your Promise award for Summer 2026. You must choose "Guest Scholar" for your scholar type. (if you haven't already).
2. Apply to MCC as a guest student. If you did this last year, you are all set.
3. Complete your MUUG form. (This requires that you meet with your home college advisor and registrar for advising and signatures. Your home registrar will then send the form to MCC.)
4. Register for MCC summer classes (opens soon).
5. Get the books, get the supplies, get ready.

It's about time to register for your next semester. Check you college portal for your registration dates. Remember, the earlier you register for classes, the more likely you are to get into the section you want to attend.

If you are a Promise guest student (attending elsewhere, but would like to take a few classes at MCC to save time and money), be sure you have accepted your Promise award as a guest student for summer 2026. You must also complete the MCC guest process each semester you plan to be a guest student.

College students should meet with a college counselor or advisor to be sure that the classes they take will count toward their degree. Both college counselors and college advisors can help plan classes and check that courses will transfer later if needed.

There are Student Success staff members at each of our partners to help Promise students navigate college-going. At some partners, these are people you are already working with, like an advisor. At others, there are dedicated staff that you can check in with if you have questions.

Each partner has staff that can answer questions about your financial aid (money that others are paying). The Financial Aid department will have the most up-to-date information about what money is coming in from other places to help pay for college (like TIP, Promise, or the Michigan Achievement Award). If you think you are missing a scholarship or grant, check with Financial Aid.

I'm available to work with any potential Promise student. You can schedule to meet online or in person at the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center if you need help. I also attend many college-going events. If you haven't accepted or renewed your award for 2025-2026, you can do that here (only needed once per academic year).