News Articles
News Articles
Higher Education Innovation
Education officials meet to discuss the basic needs of college students
September 11, 2026
WILX
Education leaders met in Lansing to talk about how to help college students who are struggling to meet their basic needs. The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential and the Michigan College Access Network hosted the gathering, called “Braiding Community Support for College Student Basic Needs.” The meeting focused on how schools and local groups can work together so students can stay in school and finish their degrees.
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan, Alabama Embrace New Model for Direct Admissions
September 8, 2026
Inside Higher Ed
This fall, a group of private and public colleges in Michigan are joining the dozens of states where students can be admitted to college without sending in an application.
Higher Education Innovation
MI College Match Launches in Michigan, Flipping the College Application Process
August 31, 2026
Fox 17 West Michigan
Michigan's college admission process is getting turned on its head. MI College Match, a new statewide program from the Michigan College Access Network and EAB, officially launched this week, flipping the traditional application process by having colleges proactively offer acceptance to students instead of the other way around.
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan Seniors Can Now Get Into 21 Colleges Without A Traditional College Application
August 30, 2026
The College Investor
Michigan high school seniors can now get admitted to college without applying. The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) opened its new MI College Match portal on Aug. 26, 2026, and 21 public and private colleges have signed on to send direct admission offers to students who fill out a free profile.
High School Innovation
As the conversation around higher ed shifts, a SE Michigan community college initiative records first wins
August 28, 2026
Gongwer
Within a higher education landscape Americans of many ages feel priced out of and a Michigan economy business leaders say is flailing for talent, a program backed by the Detroit Regional Chamber, its nonprofit partners and southeast Michigan’s community colleges is documenting success at the end of its first phase in operation.
Higher Education Innovation
20 Michigan colleges join new direct admissions program
August 27, 2026
Higher Ed Dive
Completing a profile for MI College Match should take students between 15 and 20 minutes, according to an FAQ on its website. After that, college admissions officials will see anonymized versions of each student’s profile and issue offers based on them. They can also extend scholarship offers to students.
All Areas of Work
Guest column: When college access grows, Michigan communities reap the benefits
August 26, 2026
News Herald
Yes, barriers do exist. But frustrations with cost, debt, and completion should push us to remove barriers, not dismiss these opportunities — and Michigan can’t afford to discourage students from college when 84% of high-demand jobs require at least some higher education.
Adult Student Attainment
Michigan Reconnect scholarship program lowers eligibility age to 21
August 17, 2026
WILX
Michigan has lowered the eligibility age for its Michigan Reconnect scholarship program from 25 to 21, opening tuition-free college access to tens of thousands more residents. Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship that covers tuition for skilled trade programs at in-district community colleges. Applicants must be 21 years old, have lived in Michigan for a year, and hold a high school diploma with no prior college degree.
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan college students struggle with housing, food. Program aims to help
August 14, 2026
Bridge Michigan
In Michigan, 20% of college students have experienced food insecurity, 44% have grappled with housing insecurity and 47% have had unmet financial needs even after financial aid, according to a report released last year by the state’s Student Basic Needs Task Force.
Higher Education Innovation
New program eases college application process in Michigan
August 12, 2026
WLNS
The Michigan College Access Network is rolling out a new program to streamline the college application process. According to a news release, MI College Match, which MCAN created in partnership with EAB, an education and technology company, will ensure that participating students receive an offer to attend college without having to fill out a single application.
Higher Education Innovation
University of Michigan’s proposed pass/fail pilot program sparks debate over freshman grades
August 12, 2026
WILX
Ryan Fewins-Bliss of the Michigan College Access Network said the program could help students find success. “I think it’s really cutting edge. I think it’s very responsive to what they’re hearing from students,” he told News 10. He said the broader goal is student readiness beyond the classroom.
Higher Education Innovation
Kalamazoo College joins MI College Match, offering direct admission to qualified students
August 12, 2026
News Channel 3
Helping students find the right college: that's the goal of Michigan's new statewide direct admission initiative - and Kalamazoo College has joined in. Wednesday, Kalamazoo College announced they joined MI College Match, a program that helps colleges identify students across the state who are an academic fit and offer them admission directly.
Community Mobilization
New partnership brings college and career resources to Detroit neighborhoods
August 10, 2026
Michigan Advance
Graduate 313, a partnership between the Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation and Detroit College Access Network, aims to expand educational opportunities for Detroiters in what organizers describe as a first-of-its-kind, neighborhood-based college and career success initiative backed by a $3.5 million investment.
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan Reconnect expands free community college eligibility to age 21
August 9, 2026
Michigan Public
Michigan’s largest free tuition program for adults to attend community college has lowered its eligibility to 21. Traditionally, adults 25 and older have been eligible for Michigan Reconnect. In the state’s 2027 education budget, lawmakers have included an additional $25 million to expand the program for 21- to 24-year old Michigan residents.
All Areas of Work
When college access grows, Michigan reaps the benefits
August 6, 2026
The Daily Press
Yes, barriers do exist. But frustrations with cost, debt and completion should push us to remove barriers, not dismiss these opportunities -- and Michigan can't afford to discourage students from college when 84% of high-demand jobs require at least some higher education.
All Areas of Work
New $750,000 Grants Awarded to Promote the Value of Education Beyond High School
August 5, 2026
The Daily Press
MCAN's project aims to support innovative communication strategies, research-driven campaigns, and community outreach initiatives to elevate public understanding of how higher education contributes to individual, family, and community success. To address rising skepticism about the return on investment on postsecondary education, the grant will support projects that communicate the benefits of higher education and test new approaches to reaching prospective students and their families.
Adult Student Attainment
Michigan fills free college gap, lowers eligibility to 21 — for now
July 31, 2026
Bridge Michigan
Lawmakers included in the state’s 2027 education budget an additional $25 million to expand eligibility to include 21- to 24-year-old residents in Michigan Reconnect starting this fall. Previously, the program, which covers tuition and fees for up to four years at the state’s 30 community and tribal colleges, was for residents 25 or older.
Community Mobilization
Foundation grants $3.5M to expand Detroit college access through neighborhood hubs
July 27, 2026
Crain's Detroit Business
The Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation and Detroit College Access Network are launching an initiative that will provide a free neighborhood-based source of information and assistance to Detroiters looking to attend college, from middle schoolers to adults, and support to help those already in college complete their degrees. The foundation has made a three-year, $3.5 million grant to DCAN to fund leased sites on the city’s east and west sides to provide “agnostic college advising,” independent of affiliation with any specific institution, and other support.