News Articles
News Articles
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.
All Areas of Work
Four things Michiganders should know about federal student loan changes
April 2, 2026
Bridge Michigan
It’s the time of year when Michigan high schoolers commit to the colleges they plan to attend. For many, that means signing up for a federal student loan, and several changes are coming that will affect not just future student loan borrowers, but those already in debt.
All Areas of Work
Advocacy group recommends Tuition Incentive Program task force as executive budget seeks changes
March 31, 2026
Gongwer
“We … would recommend creation of a tuition incentive program task force so that they could recommend updates,” Fewins-Bliss said. “We know the governor’s office has proposed some changes in their budget to the Tuition Incentive Program. I think we should take some time to learn about that and study that before we jump into any solutions.”
All Areas of Work
College access groups offering guidance during massive student loan shift
March 30, 2026
WILX
Millions of Americans are being forced off the SAVE payment plan, with a Trump administration program taking its place. Guidance from the Department of Education has, so far, been sporadic. “It may be beneficial for folks to just wait and see what happens,” Fewins-Bliss said. “Will new plans sprout up? Will something happen in the next year’s budget? Will they actually enforce moving you out of the SAVE plan?”
All Areas of Work
College Advocates Look To Budget Issues, Dual Enrollment Reform
March 24, 2026
MIRS
At a roundtable on higher education priorities for the 2027 budget, advocates said fixing Michigan’s dual enrollment system — which allows high school students to earn college credit — remains their top legislative ask.
All Areas of Work
Up North Michigan, schools struggle between pull of home and promise of college
March 24, 2026
Bridge Michigan
Wide swaths of northern Michigan have high levels of poverty and low levels of college education. In areas like Mio, Harrison and Kincheloe, upward income mobility — doing better than your parents — is as low as the poorest neighborhoods of Detroit and Flint.
All Areas of Work
State promotes financial aid available for higher ed
March 24, 2026
Iron Mountain Daily News
The state awarded more than $558.9 million in state financial aid to more than 153,000 Michigan students during the 2024-2025 academic year, as detailed in the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s annual State Scholarships and Grants Report.
All Areas of Work
Tuition-free dual enrollment helps students get ahead on college and career pathways
March 10, 2026
Outlier Media
“They can get their degree faster, and it’s cheaper because the student is paying nothing. If you can take 30 credits, that’s half an associate’s degree,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN).
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan falling short of ‘Sixty by 30’ college goal, but it remains a rallying cry
March 10, 2026
Michigan Advance
According to the Michigan College Access Network, 47.5% of Michigan adults have received either a degree or certificate, compared to 44.8% in 2019. However, if the current trend in postsecondary education holds, the state will reach 53.5% attainment by 2030, the network warns, falling well short of the goal.
High School Innovation
Michigan gives grants to districts that require students to fill out FAFSA
March 3, 2026
Bridge Michigan
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential recently announced that it had awarded $10 million in grants to 67 school districts as part of its Universal FAFSA Challenge.
All Areas of Work
Pathway Awards recognize Michigan educators
February 28, 2026
Soo Leader
The awards honor regional leaders and education providers who are working to ensure students have access to high-quality, career-aligned Career and Technical Education programs
All Areas of Work
Whitmer’s final budget proposal boosts education funding, MCAN responds
February 12, 2026
Soo Leader
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled her final state budget proposal this week, drawing praise from education advocates who say the plan strengthens Michigan's commitment to student success.