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News Articles
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Whitmer wants more men in Michigan colleges and job training. What to know
April 15, 2025
Bridge Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive Thursday aimed at increasing the number of men pursuing college or job training, lowering a persistent gap that has widened in recent years.
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Michigan College Access Network kicking off ‘AmeriCorps Week’
March 8, 2025
WNEM
The Michigan College Access Network is kicking off AmeriCorps Week Mar. 9-15. During this week, AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps seniors are encouraged to volunteer their time across the community at local high schools, colleges and businesses. It’s an opportunity for members to share their experiences about their time serving and educate others on the program.
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MiLEAP announces $10 million awarded to 75 school districts
February 24, 2025
The Davison Index
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) announced recently that $10 million has been awarded to 75 school districts and public school academies statewide as part of the Universal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Challenge. Atherton Community Schools in Burton received $47,629.80 and Bentley Community Schools, also in Burton, received $51,598.95.
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Huron County schools awarded funds to make college more accessible
February 18, 2025
Big Rapids Pioneer
With a bold stride toward educational progress, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential announced a striking $10 million allocation set to benefit 75 school districts statewide as part of the Universal Free Application for Federal Student Aid Challenge initiative.
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Public education funding welcome
February 14, 2025
The Mining Journal
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential has announced that $10 million has been awarded to 75 school districts and public school academies statewide as part of the Universal Free Application for Federal Student Aid Challenge. The three Upper Peninsula school districts that received awards are Bark River-Harris School District, $39,691.50; Iron Mountain Public Schools, $84,145.98; and Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County, $59,537.25.
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Whitmer's budget would boost college scholarships, help with rising costs
February 13, 2025
Crain's Detroit Business
“To compete in the global economy, Michigan needs to build a flexible, well-educated workforce that is ready for the challenges of tomorrow. This budget demonstrates the governor’s commitment to our future by supporting increased college readiness, participation and completion," MCAN Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss said in a statement.
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IM Schools receives state grant for FAFSA participation
February 11, 2025
The Iron Mountain Daily News
MiLEAP is partnering with the Michigan College Access Network to support districts in their efforts. The Iron Mountain school board last month approved a change its graduation policy to accommodate the FAFSA initiative.
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Hartland Among 75 Districts Splitting $10M to Boost FAFSA Completion Rates
February 10, 2025
WHMI
Hartland Consolidated Schools, Kensington Woods and Ann Arbor are among 75 Michigan districts splitting $10 million from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, or MiLEAP.
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College aid form completion recovers in Michigan after debacle, but key issue remains
February 10, 2025
The Detroit News
"Even though we have a small uptick, that's a win, and we want to celebrate that," Fewins-Bliss said. "But we are still leaps and bounds away from where we were at the peak time of enrollment and FAFSA completion."
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Reaction to Gov. Whitmer’s proposed budget
February 5, 2025
WLNS
Reaction to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed budget for 2026 is coming in. Below are a few of the statements 6 News has received.
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UCS administrator is a Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellow
February 3, 2025
C & G Newspapers
Henry Ford II High School Associate Principal Anthony Tocco was recently named in a group of 12 school leaders statewide who will take part in an 18-month program for the next generation of administrators at the secondary level.
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State’s leadership fellows to include Henry Ford II High School principal
January 20, 2025
Macomb Daily
Henry Ford II High School Associate Principal Anthony Tocco is among 12 school leaders including Ferndale High School Principal Fellicia Searles-Powell selected for a leadership program aimed at growing the next generation of secondary administrators.
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Manistee educator joins second cohort of Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows
January 9, 2025
9 and 10 News
The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and the Michigan College Access Network have announced the second cohort of Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows which includes a Manistee educator.
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Motivational speaker addresses Dryden students for senior seminar
December 25, 2024
The County Press
For the ninth year in a row, Dryden High School is offering a Senior Seminar College Planning Course to all high school seniors in conjunction with the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN). The goal of the College Planning Course is to increase college completion by lowering barriers that prevent students from getting to and through college, including social capital, academic preparation, college knowledge and affordability.
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SMC dean recognized for innovative idea
December 6, 2024
Leader Publications
Southwestern Michigan College Dean of the School of Business and Advanced Technology Dr. Karen Reilly won second place and $5,000 in the inaugural Take Flight: Sixty by 30 Pitch Competition at Michigan College Access Network's 13th annual conference.
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Michigan’s free-tuition programs are paying off
December 6, 2024
Community College Daily
Movement on initiatives expanding such tuition-free programs throughout Michigan kicked off in earnest with the 2019 announcement of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 initiative, whose goal is to increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree to 60% by 2030.
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Applications Open For Federal Student Aid
December 3, 2024
mitechnews.com
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential announced that students and families can now complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA serves as the gateway for students to access grants and scholarships including the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Community College Guarantee and federal Pell Grant.
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MiLEAP announces 2025-26 FAFSA now available for students and families to complete
November 29, 2024
The Arab American News
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) has announced that students and families can now complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA serves as the gateway for students to access grants and scholarships, including the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Community College Guarantee and federal Pell Grant.