Class of 2026 Promise News

The Muskegon Area Promise is expanding again. Please watch for a special newsletter coming soon. The biggest part for the class of 2026: No more GPA requirement.

You must:

• graduate with a high school diploma
• from one of the Muskegon Area high schools
• live in one of the Muskegon Area high school district boundaries

This means most students graduating this year will be eligible. If you haven't accepted yet, watch your student email this month for your eligibility letter from the Promise. We are working on updating our lists.

Net cost is the total cost to attend college, including things like room and board, meals, and tuition with any financial aid (scholarships and grants) applied. For you math majors, that's:

All Costs to Attend

- Financial Aid

Net Cost

So while you may get a very large scholarship from a school, you want to know how much you have left to pay after it is applied to be able to compare final out-of-pocket costs. Stop in to your high school counseling office or contact that college's financial aid office if you need help figuring it out.

While cost isn't the only factor, it can be a major factor. Comparing offers and net cost is important. Aid offers show you the amount of financial aid you will receive if you attend a specific college. Compare all offers before deciding where to attend college. Check your student portal and email for any offers. Use the College Cost Calculator to compare your costs, offers, and estimate your indirect costs.

For Promise students, keep in mind, your Promise scholarship will not appear in your awards until after high school graduation. This is because we have to wait and confirm your GPA after high school graduation.

How do I visit?

If you haven’t visited yet, arrange to get on campus. If you can’t get there in person, check to see if they offer a virtual tour or if you can speak with a current student (sometimes called a student ambassador).

Why visit?

If you haven't had a chance to visit your top choices, you may get to college in the fall and find out that you don't feel like you belong. This is a top reason that students change colleges after the first semester or first year; the vibe of that college doesn't match with what they expected. Visiting, attending a class (if allowed) and talking to current students can help you know how you will fit in before you get there.

1. Finish your FAFSA if it isn't done yet. Your parent/guardian must do their part for you to be finished.
2. Review your FAFSA Submission summary (FSS). This has your Student Aid Index (SAI), estimated federal PELL grant amount, and the list of colleges that you chose to send it to.
3. Complete your FAFSA verification. About 20% of students are chosen each year. You could be selected any time between when you complete your FAFSA and the end of the academic year you will use your scholarships. If you are part of the luck 20%, and you don't complete your verification, you will not get your federal, state, or other aid.

Pro Tip: Your Michigan Achievement Scholarship (including the Community College Guarantee) goes to the first Michigan college that you listed on your FAFSA. Make sure your final choice is the first or only college on the list. If you don't start using the CCG or MAS within 15 months of your high school graduation, you could lose out on money from the State of Michigan now and in the future.

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.

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