The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has awarded Howell Public Schools the 2024 Catalyst Award. The Catalyst Award recognizes a school or district that has advanced a college-going culture or enacted systems-level change within its community. Members of the Highlander Career and College Council received the award at the MCAN College Impact Awards on Nov. 6.

Enrollment this fall at Michigan's 15 public universities increased one-half of a percent compared with a year ago, but the slight enrollment uptick is below the national average and remains down 13% compared with 10 years ago.

Unfortunately, many graduates today find themselves burdened with debt and struggling to secure jobs in their chosen fields. One of the best ways to improve outcomes for students is to ensure they have the resources and support necessary to complete their degrees. That’s why programs like the Postsecondary Student Success Grant are so crucial for postsecondary attainment.

BeyondGrad.org was created by the Genesee Intermediate School District in partnership with the Genesee County College and Career Access Network and the Michigan College Access Network for residents between the ages of 14 and 26.

Alcona Community Schools announced the launch of its Early College Recharge Program, aimed at expanding the Early College initiative within the district, in a news release on Thursday. This new program is supported by a $10,000 Michigan College Access Network grant, awarded to the district in April 2024.

“We are incredibly excited about Bottom Line’s expansion into Michigan and Detroit,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN Executive Director. “The data is clear: to increase the numbers of students going to and succeeding in college, more trained and caring individuals must be dispatched to support students and families. Working alongside the resources that currently exist, Bottom Line is a great addition to the community. We look forward to working closely with them.”

Shortly after approving the changes that made the Michigan Guarantee possible, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bills 350 and 555 into law. These bills modify the state’s Promise Zone Authority Act, allowing Promise Zones the option to fund student expenses beyond tuition, mandatory fees, and qualified educational supplies, up to the total cost of attendance at a Michigan college or university. The bills also clarified residency requirements for Promise Zone board members.

Graduates of Bay and Arenac high schools are invited to the FAFSA night at the Delta College Planetarium, 100 Center Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m. Wed., Aug. 7. The Bay Area Community Foundation, in partnership with the Bay City Public Schools and the Bay-Arenac ISD, received a grant through Michigan College Access Network to fund the free event, which is open to anyone who graduated in 2024 and earlier from a Bay or Arenac county high school.

Michigan lawmakers expanded access for free pre-K and community college in the Fiscal Year 2025 education budget, which were centerpiece plans for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who’s planning to sign the bill Tuesday afternoon in Flint. Education advocates said Whitmer’s plan would normalize additional free schooling on both ends of the traditional K-12 track, which could help improve Michigan’s workforce.

With the start of fall semester classes at Michigan colleges and universities only a month or so out, the frenzied push to get more new high school graduates to complete the federal financial aid form for the coming year continues.