News Articles
News Articles
Higher Education Innovation
Music, theatre among degree programs in Michigan that could lose federal loan access under new rule
June 12, 2026
Michigan Public Radio
A nearly-final federal student loan rule could prevent students from getting access to federal loans in certain college programs. Under the rule, undergraduate programs lose Federal Direct Loan access if they fail an "earnings test" — meaning their graduates, four years after graduation, make less than those with just a high school diploma in the same state on average.
Higher Education Innovation
Proposed federal rule threatens student loan access for Michigan cosmetology schools
June 10, 2026
Michigan Public Radio
“Functionally, they're trying to make sure that the degree that you're paying for and they're using student loans and federal and state aid to pay for it is actually valuable to you in the long run,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, the executive director of the Michigan College Access Network.
Higher Education Innovation
Proposed federal rule threatens student loan access for Michigan cosmetology schools
June 10, 2026
Michigan Public Radio
“Functionally, they're trying to make sure that the degree that you're paying for and they're using student loans and federal and state aid to pay for it is actually valuable to you in the long run,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, the executive director of Michigan College Access Network.
Adult Student Attainment
Michigan prison education programs draw statewide leaders as demand far outpaces availability
June 5, 2026
Spectrum News
More than 150 higher education and corrections leaders gathered at Calvin University in Grand Rapids Thursday for a statewide conference focused on expanding college programs inside Michigan prisons — an effort organizers say is transforming lives, reducing crime and saving taxpayers millions.
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan summit explores ways to expand postsecondary access and success for men
May 30, 2026
The Alpena News
The Men in Motion Summit, hosted by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), in partnership with the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) and the Detroit Parent Network (DPN), brought together organizations and partners from across Michigan to share insights, identify barriers, and explore collaborative strategies that help more men pursue education and training opportunities – particularly men of color, rural men, and adult learners ages 25 and older.
High School Innovation
Sweeping federal student loan changes prompt concerns for some Michigan borrowers
May 29, 2026
The Michigan Independent
President Donald Trump’s 2025 budget law, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is upending the federal student loan program, and new and current borrowers in Michigan could be affected. The law instructs the U.S. Department of Education to implement significant modifications to the federal student loan program, including new borrowing limits, streamlined repayment options, and a cap on loan amounts starting July 1.
Adult Student Attainment
Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison announces founding president
May 28, 2026
Soo Leader
The Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison (MiCHEP) has appointed Jeff Abernathy as the organization’s founding president. MiCHEP is a statewide consortium of Michigan colleges and universities devoted to expanding and improving higher education for incarcerated students through collaboration, shared best practices, and policy leadership. The consortium partners with the Michigan Department of Corrections to strengthen educational quality and access across prison learning sites statewide.
Higher Education Innovation
Campaign aims to engage employers in promoting Michigan’s free community college, skills training
May 28, 2026
Crain's Detroit Business
Level Up Michigan!, a nonprofit created to boost post-secondary education and skill attainment, is working to raise awareness of the state scholarships from 30% to 80% or better by fall 2027. It’s asking businesses, unions, government agencies, nonprofits and community organizations to help get the word out as part of the “Share the Good News” campaign launched Thursday afternoon at the Mackinac Policy Conference as part of a two-pronged marketing approach.
High School Innovation
Michigan college enrollment rate slips, despite $1B in state scholarships
May 23, 2026
Bridge Michigan
Michigan’s rate of sending high school graduates to college dropped in 2025, despite millions of dollars in state-funded scholarships. Only 54.6% of the Class of 2025 enrolled in college within six months, according to preliminary state data released this month. That’s down from 56.8% the previous year, which had shown a slight uptick. Ten years ago, 64.7% of high school graduates enrolled.
All Areas of Work
Ben Frederick Talks College for All
May 15, 2026
Durand Now
For former Republican state representative Ben Frederick, the connection between policy, opportunity, and economic growth has never been partisan — it’s personal.
High School Innovation
New Michigan laws end stressful essay portion of college test
May 14, 2026
Michigan Public Radio
Starting next year, Michigan 11th graders will be relieved of the stress of the essay portion of the Michigan Merit exam and the scores of those tests won’t be shared with university and college admissions offices, under bills signed Thursday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
High School Innovation
U.S. citizen students face an agonizing choice: Affording college or protecting parents from deportation
May 1, 2026
The Hechinger Report
“I can’t look them in the eye anymore and say federal law prohibits them using your data in other ways,” Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of Michigan College Access Network, said of college applicants with undocumented family members. “It also could be the pathway to getting your family detained.”
Adult Student Attainment
Build pathways home: Why Michigan’s college-in-prison expansion matters now
April 22, 2026
Michigan Advance
Michigan can show the country what it looks like to treat higher education in prison as a public good, one that strengthens families, communities, and the workforce. We know that not as a slogan, but as people who have had to build our lives on the other side of incarceration. We are both justice impacted, and we’ve both seen what happens when someone is finally offered a real opportunity to learn.
Community Mobilization
Three Michigan programs receive Michigan College Access Network grants
April 20, 2026
Soo Leader
Michigan College Access Network is proud to announce three Innovative Program Grants to support promising college access and success projects across the state. Montcalm Community College and Alternatives for Girls each received $10,000, and Michigan Technological University received $6,333.
High School Innovation
How larger Pell Grants could boost college completion
April 17, 2026
Open Campus
An inflation-adjusted Pell Grant could result in about 15,000 more students completing college every year, according to new analysis from the National College Attainment Network. If the maximum Pell Grant had kept pace with inflation, it would be worth $8,108 today — $713 more than the current amount of $7,395, according to the analysis.
Community Mobilization
Montcalm Community College receives $10K Innovative Program Grant
April 16, 2026
Daily News
Montcalm Community College and Alternatives for Girls each received $10,000, and Michigan Technological University received $6,333. In alignment with Michigan’s Sixty by 30 higher education attainment goal, MCAN’s Innovative Program Grants are designed to encourage creative ideas and initiatives that increase the state’s postsecondary attainment rate.
All Areas of Work
171 new Certified FAFSA Specialists to support students across the state
April 12, 2026
Soo Leader
This growing network of trained professionals can be a resource for high schools, colleges, and youth-serving organizations as they assist Michigan students and families with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
All Areas of Work
The college education gap between suburban and Detroit students is big. This is how we close it.
April 9, 2026
WDET
Getting a college degree in Detroit has never been easy. More than half of all children in Detroit live below the poverty line. Many Detroit public school graduates do not enroll in college within a year of finishing high school. And of those who do enroll, most don’t earn a degree within six years.