Promise College News

Over 80 students missed a Promise deadline because they missed or didn't respond to an email, text message, or phone call.

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, finish those final projects, study for those exams, and get ready to enjoy your holiday break!

Students who don't respond to Promise or college emails from financial aid often have missing information or an incomplete FAFSA. Without the information and FAFSA, the Promise can't pay your tuition or send that handy-dandy stipend to help with extra costs. Students who don't get the issues resolved may end up on a payment plan or have to pay out of pocket. Replying to messages helps us make sure your scholarship is there from the beginning.

Our goal is that no Promise student has to leave college because of the costs. Help us help you by answering emails, texting back, or returning calls. We really love it when students start the conversation by asking for help or getting clarification. Your college staff do too.

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 Look for old newsletters, outdated sales promotions, anything you've read and no longer need.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.
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.

There are some good places to look for new scholarships.

• Check your college's scholarship portal for new opportunities.
• If you are done using the Promise, you can apply for the Community Foundation for Muskegon County scholarships. Applications close February 12, 2026.
• There is a list of scholarships in Xello. (That's right, you can still access your Xello account if you graduated in 2018 or after. Let me know if you need help.)
• If you are transferring, check your new college's scholarship site or portal.
• The State of Michigan now has a scholarship search. Check out the counties where you live and where you will attend next year.

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).