Pursuing a higher education is not an easy feat, even in the best conditions. Aside from the financial strain and academic challenges I faced, I vividly remember the fear of losing my identity in an attempt to be successful at Michigan State University.

Earlier today, the Journal of College Access published a special issue, “College Access and Success for Undocumented Students.”

Our partners at NCAN share some college access resources to help start the 2021-22 school year.

Former MCAN intern Kate Grove reflects on her summer with MCAN and what she learned about college access and nonprofit work.

In this Q&A, Patti Yorks from Genesee County College and Career Access Network (GCCCAN) shares how its 10th Birthday Grant helped fund online college access activities and mobile FAFSA assistance.

In this Q&A, Mollie Waller from Youth Solutions shares how its 10th Birthday Grant helped it adapt valuable youth programming to online and hybrid models.

In this Q&A, Matt Clark from the Refugee Education Center shares how its 10th Birthday Grant helped fund the organization's Graduate & Grow program.

As the calendar flips to August, neither the upcoming FAFSA cycle, which opens October 1, nor the ongoing one, which funds students for the 2021-22 academic year, are probably front of mind for many districts and schools — but they should be.

Christi Taylor from Detroit Drives Degrees shared how its 10th Birthday Grant supported the expansion of their summer melt programming and the launch of a summer bridge program for high school graduates pursing postsecondary education in Detroit.

Lee Fitzpatrick from Alpena Public Schools shares how its 10th Birthday Grant facilitated the purchase of new laptops needed by high school students in the district who were taking college courses.