LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) awarded 108 Covid-19 Response Grants to 105 different organizations in 2020, totaling $619,187 toward helping schools and organizations confront the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants, which were announced in April and awarded in 15 rounds of funding through December, were designed to support postsecondary attainment efforts across the state.
“In March, when high schools and colleges started moving classes online, we knew there were going to be huge implications for postsecondary access,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN. “We diverted as much funding as we could to address this crisis. It was important to us that high school students stayed on track to go to college, and that college students stayed on track to finish their degrees and certificates.”
Many of these grants addressed technology gaps, helping organizations purchase wireless internet hotspots, computers or tablets to distribute to students for online learning. Other grants helped organizations convert traditionally in-person resources, such as mentoring programs and SAT preparation classes, to online formats.
“Enrolling in college and completing a degree or certificate program is a significant challenge, even in the best of times,” said Fewins-Bliss. “COVID-19 has been incredibly disruptive to educational efforts in our state, especially among low income students, students of color, and first-generation college-going students. These grants will help students get the resources they need to achieve their educational goals, which will open up better opportunities for them in the post-pandemic economy.”
The COVID-19 response grants were funded by MCAN and its philanthropic partners. For more information about MCAN’s COVID-19 response efforts, visit micollegeaccess.org/initiatives/covid19. For a full list of COVID-19 Response Grant recipients, visit micollegeaccess.org/grants/category/covid-19-grants.
105 organizations awarded funding to support postsecondary attainment efforts amid a global pandemic