LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) is offering free assistance through the month of August to recent high school graduates and families still interested in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Michigan's FAFSA submission and completion rates have decreased for the second year in a row. As of July 30, Michigan’s FAFSA completion rate is 52.3%, compared to 57% at the same time last year. Nationwide, the FAFSA completion rate is down 4.5%. MCAN’s efforts are an attempt to help reverse the trend. FAFSA assistance is available to anyone across the state of Michigan, and it includes informational materials, help sessions, and one-on-one support.
“The pandemic has further complicated the process of applying for financial aid, especially for low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color who historically have had less access to financial aid resources,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “Our hope is that these summer support services show students that it’s not too late to submit the FAFSA and pursue their postsecondary education opportunities.”
Filing the FAFSA changes the conversation around college affordability, as students and their families see the full range of financial aid available to them. Research from the National College Attainment Network suggests that low-income students who complete the FAFSA are 127% more likely to enroll directly after high school than their peers who do not complete the FAFSA. Additionally, 90% of high school seniors who complete the FAFSA immediately enroll in postsecondary education programs, compared to 50% of those who do not file.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAFSA SUPPORT
- One-on-one FAFSA assistance can be scheduled by emailing adviser@micollegeaccess.org, or by texting the College Advising Hotline at 810-373-5385.
- Weekly FAFSA assistance sessions are held 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays through August 26. Advance scheduling is not necessary; participants can join any session via Google Meet (http://meet.google.com/yox-aacd-rji) or by dialing 1-346-800-2445 (PIN: 202 581 229#).
For questions about MCAN’s summer FAFSA support, contact our college advisers at adviser@micollegeaccess.org.
Support services include help sessions and one-on-one support for students and families