LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has awarded $9,500 in its 15th round of COVID-19 Response Grants to three organizations in Michigan. To date, this program has invested over $600,000 across the state to help high schools, local college access networks, community-based nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions support emergent postsecondary projects and programs in their communities. MCAN has partnered with other funders to co-sponsor these grants.
The grants were announced by MCAN in early April 2020 to demonstrate MCAN’s responsiveness to and support of communities affected by the global health pandemic that continues to have a major impact in Michigan, especially in low income and minority communities MCAN serves.
Thus far, MCAN has awarded 109 COVID-19 Response Grants totaling $625,245.
“Since April, MCAN has taken on the responsibility of funding impactful postsecondary attainment initiatives across the state of Michigan,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN. “The global health pandemic has disproportionately affected populations traditionally prevented from accessing higher education, including low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color. I’m proud that we have the capacity to rapidly mobilize resources and act as a support to schools and organizations. I also want to acknowledge all the funding partners who have joined us in co-funding some of these grants."
The following COVID-19 Response Grants have been awarded in this round:
Michigan State University Office of Admissions (East Lansing, Mich.)
Awarded $5,000
The Michigan State University Office of Admissions will use its grant to provide 250 Native American students in the Upper Peninsula with college readiness kits. Designed to reach students with poor internet access or burnout from online learning, these packages include college readiness resources, a testimonial from a current Native American college student, college-themed gifts, and information about the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver and FAFSA.
MSU Community Music School-Detroit (Detroit, Mich.)
Awarded $2,000
The MSU Community Music School-Detroit will use its grant to support the Ready, Set, Audition! program, which seeks to address inequity in the college music audition process for minority, low-income and first-generation applicants. The program includes admissions counseling, peer mentoring and private lessons by MSU students, audition preparation workshops, and access to a professional recording studio with an audio engineer.
University High School (Ferndale, Mich.)
Awarded $2,500
Co-funded by the Jacob Family Foundation
University High School will use its grant to support its SAT Saturday Morning Boot Camp program, which provides free SAT prep and a practice test for high school juniors and seniors.
$9,500 awarded to three Michigan organizations in support of postsecondary attainment efforts