News Articles
News Articles
All Areas of Work
Michigan education leaders push for college access amid doubts from students
August 12, 2025
WCMU
At a recent media roundtable hosted by the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), panelists said concerns about affordability, limited awareness of financial aid and unmet basic needs continue to block access to higher education, particularly for Black and Brown students, Indigenous students, immigrants and students with disabilities.
All Areas of Work
BEST Benzie uses grant to reduce 'summer melt'
August 4, 2025
The Benzie County Record Patriot
This year, thanks to a grant from the Michigan College Access Network, the Benzie County college-bound class of 2025 graduates have two college coaches available to help reduce summer melt.
All Areas of Work
Michigan Awards Nearly $1M to Students Through FAFSA Completion Initiative
July 29, 2025
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II joined state education leaders at Wayne State University to announce the winners, who received either $10,000 or $50,000 awards deposited into Michigan Education Savings Program accounts. The initiative, launched by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration in partnership with the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), drew more than 21,000 entries from students who completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the first time.
All Areas of Work
A Michigan private college is closing. Why experts say others may not be far behind.
July 13, 2025
MLive
“What I’ve found when I’ve spoken to the presidents of those institutions (that have closed) and some of their trustees is that they have been privately struggling with this for years, have been doing everything they can to fight against it and had to finally give up the goat and say, ‘It’s time to close, we’re out of options,’” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of Michigan College Access Network.
All Areas of Work
‘It’s very confusing:’ Return of AmeriCorps grants doesn’t mean end to uncertainty
July 3, 2025
MLive
While some states found only a portion of their portfolios terminated, Michigan was one of 14 states that had its entire AmeriCorps portfolio eliminated. That includes $2.1 million to MCAN, which resulted in the termination of 60 AmeriCorps workers across four programs, many of whom were embedded in high schools and two-year colleges.
All Areas of Work
Federal AmeriCorps cuts strain college access for local students
June 26, 2025
The Port Huron Times Herald
When Maya Savedra started as a college advisor at Port Huron Northern High School two years ago, she thought it would be a short-term role. With a degree in broadcasting and cinematic arts, the AmeriCorps position felt like a practical next step, not a calling.
All Areas of Work
Advocates for Benzie County receives Rotary Charities grant
June 11, 2025
The Benzie County Record Patriot
The Advocates for Benzie County has been awarded a $10,000 seed grant from Rotary Charities for a project focusing on adult learners in Benzie County. In cooperation with BEST Benzie and the Michigan College Access Network, the grant will fund a survey and study of the needs and challenges for adult learners between the ages of 25-55 who have no education beyond high school.
All Areas of Work
Americorps cuts impact non-profits working at schools in Southwest Michigan
June 10, 2025
WMUK
Federal funding cuts at Americorps could affect the number of Americorps members serving in schools and colleges in Southwest Michigan, as well as recent graduates who hoped to join the program. In April, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, cut 400 million dollars from Americorps.
All Areas of Work
Kalamazoo learns even free tuition isn’t enough to get kids into college
June 4, 2025
Bridge Michigan
The Kalamazoo Promise and similar scholarship programs have taught leaders that “the barrier we thought was the major barrier — and that is money — is just one barrier,” Fewins-Bliss said. Other barriers include transportation, food insecurity and more and schools have to provide wraparound services to help students get to college and stay in college.
All Areas of Work
Ticket to Tuition Helping Students Get Ready for College
May 7, 2025
Civic Center TV
Executive Director of the Michigan College Access Network Ryan Fewins-Bliss talks with Jake Schaf about their Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes.
All Areas of Work
Celebrating and Accelerating Attainment: 2025 & Beyond Convening
May 7, 2025
Institute for Higher Education Policy
The Celebrating and Accelerating Attainment: 2025 & Beyond convened nearly 500 institutional leaders, researchers, funders, and student success practitioners in Washington, D.C. on April 2 and 3, 2025. The discussions highlighted field-driven progress in accelerating postsecondary degree and credential attainment and set bold intentions for helping even more individuals earn credentials of value.
All Areas of Work
Department of Education pressuring colleges, universities to help struggling borrowers
May 7, 2025
WILX
Federal student loan debt is a critical challenge, according to the Department of Education. So much so, the department is reminding higher education institutions of their legal responsibility to support borrowers in debt.
All Areas of Work
Michigan AmeriCorps workers face sudden job loss amid federal program cuts
May 2, 2025
MLive
At least 85% of AmeriCorps staff were put on administrative leave this month, with at least some notified last week that they would be let go because of a reduction in force, The Associated Press reported.
All Areas of Work
College Access Groups Scramble After AmeriCorps Cuts
May 2, 2025
Inside Higher Ed
A total of $400 million in AmeriCorps grants were axed, according to America’s Service Commission, a nonprofit that represents state and national service commissions, including funding for food pantries and disaster relief programs in areas impacted by recent natural disasters. The majority of AmeriCorps’ staff was also put on administrative leave in mid-April.
All Areas of Work
‘It’s devastating’: Michigan loses about $15M in federal AmeriCorps cuts
April 29, 2025
Bridge Michigan
Michigan is expected to lose about $15 million in grant funding for AmeriCorps projects, which range from assisting seniors to reading tutors for children, as part of a larger effort by the federal government to slash the agency’s overall budget.
All Areas of Work
Michigan’s $1M FAFSA sweepstakes draws 9,000 students in first week
April 28, 2025
MLive
More than 9,000 Michigan students have already entered a sweepstakes to win up to $50,000 by filling out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the “Ticket to Tuition” sweepstakes last week as part of an effort to increase FAFSA completion and connect more students with state and federal financial aid.
All Areas of Work
High school seniors applying for federal student aid faster than in past years
April 25, 2025
Capital News Service
After years of declining participation, high school seniors are outpacing last year’s graduating class in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
All Areas of Work
Michigan’s new tool to boost college enrollment: $50K prizes. Will it work?
April 16, 2025
Bridge Michigan
On Tuesday, Michigan officials announced a sweepstakes, the Ticket to Tuition, that will award up to $50,000 in college funds if they fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.