News Articles
News Articles
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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‘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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.