Class of 2026 Promise News

The Muskegon Area Promise Award Staff (all 2 of us) manage close to 2000 students each year. That number continues to grow as more students qualify for the Promise. Our main communication is by email. Sometimes we text students. We have even been known to leave the occasional voicemail. So why did so many students miss out?

1. Email issues - clean it out and check it daily
2. No response to texts - save contact info and respond (You can even text with questions.)
3. Voicemail issues - answer the phone or set up your voicemail and check it.

Now, enjoy your holiday break! (And don't forget to finish that FAFSA.)

Every year, students miss college acceptances, scholarship awards, and other important information because their email inboxes are full. It's time to conquer the clutter and set yourself up for success.

1. Search for emails to archive: Label and archive emails that you have dealt with but may need later (like your Promise Newsletter and your college acceptances).
2. Delete irrelevant emails: Delete all emails that no longer serve you. Look for old newsletters, outdated sales promotions, anything you've read and no longer need. Leaving junk emails in your inbox is like leaving trash on your floor.
3. Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletter: You signed up so that you could get that extra 20% off, but you haven't ordered since then. It's time to unsubscribe. Look for a button at the top if the email or an unsubscribe near the end. (Just make sure you don't leave this list. You might miss important Promise updates!)

Pro tip: Work and colleges expect you to check your email daily. Get in the habit of responding, archiving, and deleting regularly. To keep up, you can set up filters and labels.

• Folders/Labels: Create folders or labels in your email and assign anything you are keeping to one of those folders before you archive it.
• Email filters: Your email can automatically tag emails with filters so that you can get through the important things faster.
• Create a signature: You can add an email signature in your settings so that every email you send has your name at the end. This helps when you are emailing professors, following up on an interview, or asking Promise staff for help.

Only do this if your college requires it.

If you are attending Hillsdale College, University of Olivet, or University of Michigan; you may be required to fill out your CSS profile.

International student only: In Michigan, Adrian College and University of Olivet require international students to complete a CSS profile.

If you plan to attend college out of state, be sure to check the list to see if your college requires a CSS Profile.

Visit cssprofile.collegeboard.org to complete your CSS Profile.

• Check your high school email for Muskegon Area Promise eligibility. Accept it if you are eligible.
• Once you've been accepted to a college, check your college's site for scholarships.
• There is a list of scholarships in Xello.

• If you are not sure if you will use your Promise, you can apply for the Community Foundation for Muskegon County scholarships. Applications close February 12, 2026.

Pro tip: Keep you, your counselor, parent(s), college advisor, and Promise staff on the same page. Track your scholarships in Xello. Remember, your FSA ID is a for-life account.

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.