Class of 2026 Promise News

In case you missed it, the Muskegon Area Promise no longer has a minimum GPA requirement. To qualify, students must:

1. Live in a Muskegon Area ISD school district.
2. Graduated with a high school diploma from one of our districts (public, private, charter, academy, and homeschool students may qualify).
3. Apply for financial aid (do the FAFSA).
4. Enroll in college/career training locally

If you haven't done it yet, accept your Promise scholarship today.

If you are planning to attend Baker College, we have great news. Starting fall 2026, students can use their Muskegon Area Promise at any Baker campus. The Muskegon Area Promise Board has also approved an increase to the Baker College award.

• Full time (12 credits or more per semester) students will now have up to $10,000/academic year for tuition and mandatory fees. (All other scholarships and grants come first.)
• Students who attend less than full time (1-11 credits per semester) will receive up to $5,000/academic year for tuition and mandatory fees.
• All students will receive a $500 Promise stipend in their college account each term that they are taking classes with one of our partners. The stipend total for the academic year cannot exceed $1500.

If you aren't sure how to do this, please stop in your high school counseling office and ask for help.

Your college, career training, or trade school might require an orientation. Find out if it is in-person or online and get it done. If it is required, and you don't do it, the college will likely put a hold on your account and stop you from registering for classes.

MCC students - if you attended Senior Visit Days, you are set. If not, be sure to check with admissions about MCC orientation.

Baker students - Orientation depends on your location and program. Muskegon main campus students and Muskegon Culinary Institute of Muskegon students can find their orientation dates on Baker's website. Other campus orientations are also available.

NUVO students - you need to be sure to work with NUVO staff to get started.

Meet with your college’s counselor to be sure the classes match your degree. If you don't go 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.

• Scholarship committees have deadlines and must be told where you will attend.
• If you don't let them know, you might lose your scholarship.
• If you don't know who to contact, check your email or look for contact information in Xello.
• Community Foundation for Muskegon County award winners should contact Martha Brown at martha@muskegonfoundation.org
• Colleges might be holding your spot.
• If you are planning to go, make sure you pay any required deposits and register for classes.
• If you aren't planning to go, let them know so they can offer it to the next person.

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.
• Accept their Promise award every year.

* 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. Please see your Early College advisor if you need summer classes after your 13th year. The Promise can help.