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Summer Melt Grants


Important Dates

Application Release: Funding opportunity made available on January 22, 2025.
Deadline: Applications are due Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. to MCAN.
Application Notification: Applicants will be notified by Thursday March 6, 2025.


Eligibility

Local College Access Networks and Community Ambassadors looking to launch or continue a summer melt prevention program are eligible to apply. Eligibility questions should be directed to: Dominique Devereaux, Director of Community Mobilization Strategy, at dominique@micollegeaccess.org, or 517-316-1713


Application Assistance

You are encouraged to contact MCAN to inquire about eligibility and to request technical assistance. Please contact Dominique Devereaux, Director of Community Mobilization Strategy, at dominique@micollegeaccess.org, or 517-316-1713 for assistance with your application or help with the online application portal.


Proposal Submission

Proposals are only accepted using Michigan College Access Network’s online grants system. There are two separate applications for new and returning applicants.
New Summer Melt Grant Applicant
Returning Summer Melt Grant Applicant


Grant Award

Applications will only be awarded to Local College Access Networks and community ambassadors.

New Applicants — Grants of up to $8,000 for new applicants will be awarded. New applicants require 25% (up to $2,000) cash match funding.  

Returning Applicants — These grants are not intended to be a renewable or long-term funding source. Grants of up to $6,000 for returning applicants will be awarded.

The technical assistance and coaching provided will include sustainability plan development. The grant period will have a start date of March 10, 2025 and an end date of March 9, 2026.


Program Overview

The program is designed to present learning in a virtual group setting and support communities with individual consulting with a facilitator. The program timeline is as follows:


Planning

March
Participants will meet remotely one-on-one with a program facilitator(s) to get acquainted, share the characteristics of their community, and identify how a summer melt prevention program will help meet their goals.

Participants will attend a virtual group meeting with the other network members in the cohort.  This gathering will mark the start of a summer melt prevention learning community where members will network and engage with other program leaders.  In the first session, participants will learn about the research behind summer melt, hear from returning applicants on the successes and challenges of their summer melt programs, and begin to dive into their own data.

April
A second virtual learning community meeting will be hosted where new applicants will develop a program description, learn best practices in establishing partnerships with schools, select participants, and hire coaches.   Participants will leave with a toolbox that will help build their program.

New participants will meet remotely with program facilitator(s) to begin to dive into their own data.


Implementation

April-May
As the programs begin to take shape, facilitators will meet remotely one-on-one with local community leaders and help navigate the steps to launching the summer melt prevention program in that community.  

June-September 
Once the program is operational, the facilitators will establish check-ins based on individual needs.

The cohort will meet once virtually in July to share progress of program participants, opportunities for improvement and accomplishments.  Discuss plans for supporting students who are gearing up for the crucial month of August.


Evaluation

October-November 
The cohort will meet virtually to learn how to report data, develop a platform to share program outcomes and discuss methods for staying in contact with the students after the summer success program has ended. Individual meetings with facilitators will be hosted as needed.

January-March

The cohort will work on analyzing key findings and preparing for year 2 of summer prevention program. Submission of Final report.


Cohort Facilitators

Nick Beaudry, Blue Water College Access Network (BWCAN)

Nick is the Supervisor of Career & College Programs at St. Clair County RESA and Coordinator of the Blue Water College Access Network Leadership Team. Nick also serves on the Community Foundation of St. Clair County’s Scholarships and Marysville Community Fund Committees. Prior to RESA Nick was the Academic Coordinator and Career Pathway Adviser at Marysville High School. Nick has led the Blue Water Summer Success Program since its inception in 2020 and presented at state and national conferences on summer melt prevention strategies.

Brian Pearson, Otsego College Access Network (OCAN)

Brian is the Coordinator of the Otsego County Career Access Network. His education includes degrees from Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and University of Nebraska. Working as a teacher, coach, counselor, building level administrator and superintendent in Otsego County Schools was his passion for 36 years. In the summer of 2023, he led the implementation of OCAN’s first summer melt prevention program.  In one short year the program has demonstrated a positive impact on college enrollment for economically disadvantaged students, and is on pace to double in size in 2024.