LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) is offering up to 200 College Decision Day Mini Grants to help schools celebrate graduating students who make plans to go to college. In past years, MCAN has provided support to schools that host a community celebration that recognizes seniors for their postsecondary education plans and emphasizes the importance of continued education after high school. This spring, as schools continue to grapple with pandemic precautions and various reopening plans, MCAN is offering these $250 grants to schools for putting on safe, community-appropriate celebrations.
“From enhanced in-person precautions to online learning, school districts across the state have responded to the pandemic in a variety of ways,” said Jamie Jacobs, MCAN deputy director. “We want to give schools the chance to celebrate their college-going seniors, but we also want to give them the flexibility to put on safe events, whether in person or online, that make sense for their communities.”
The College Decision Day Mini Grants are available to schools participating in MCAN’s College Bound Michigan initiative. In addition to College Decision Day, this suite of programs also includes Michigan College Month and College Cash Campaign, all aimed at improving Michigan’s college attainment rate. MCAN has aligned its organizational goal with the state’s goal of Sixty by 30 — 60 percent of Michigan’s adult residents earning a college degree or certificate by 2030.
“While the pandemic has led to a lot of uncertainty in postsecondary planning, college is more important than ever,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “Nearly all of the jobs recovered after the 2008 recession went to people with college degrees or certificates. We need to make sure our students are ready for tomorrow’s economy as we recover from this pandemic recession.”
More information about College Bound Michigan, including College Decision Day, is available here.
Grants give schools flexibility to recognize students’ postsecondary plans in COVID-safe ways