MCAN awards over $100,000 in FAFSA Completion Grants

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network has awarded $108,341 in FAFSA Completion Grants to 26 grantees. Grantees include high schools, career tech centers, community-based organizations and higher education institutions from across the state.

MCAN’s FAFSA Completion Grants were designed to fund community-based initiatives targeted at moving the needle on Free Application for Federal Student Aid completions for the class of 2022. The grants offered up to $5,000 to each grantee, and the initiatives funded by FAFSA Completion Grants were chosen for their potential to energize and incentive students to complete the FAFSA.

Completion of the FAFSA, and subsequently college enrollment, has dropped significantly during the pandemic. Michigan’s high school class of 2021 alone left an estimated $90 million in federal Pell Grants on the table by not completing the FAFSA last year. Again this year, Michigan’s FAFSA completion rates continue to lag behind the previous cycle. Improving Michigan’s FAFSA completion rates is a key part of MCAN’s Sixty by 30 strategy. When students and families are able to see the full range of financial aid available, it changes the conversation around college affordability.

“We know that 90% of high school seniors who complete the FAFSA immediately enroll in postsecondary education programs, compared to 50% of those who do not complete the FAFSA,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “Filling out the FAFSA dramatically increases a student’s likelihood of going to college, especially for low-income students, students of color and first-generation college-going students. MCAN is proud to award these grants to schools and organizations that are deeply committed to improving their student’s access to postsecondary education.” 

FAFSA Completion Grant 2022 Grantees

CENTRAL & EASTERN MICHIGAN

• $5,000 – C.S. Mott Community College (Flint, Mich.)
• $2,370 – Davison Community Schools (Davison, Mich.)
• $3,700 – Genesee Intermediate School District (Flint, Mich.)
• $4,000 – Heritage High School (Saginaw, Mich.)
• $5,000 – Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (Stanton, Mich.)
• $1,000 – St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency (Marysville, Mich.)
• $5,000 – United Way Montcalm - Ionia Counties (Belding, Mich.)

NORTHERN LOWER PENINSULA & UPPER PENINSULA

• $5,000 – Alpena Public Schools (Alpena, Mich.)

SOUTH & SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

• $4,928 – Battle Creek College Access Network
• $4,985 – Chaldean Community Foundation (Sterling Heights, Mich.)
• $5,000 – Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (Detroit, Mich.)
• $5,000 – The Etiquette Series (Detroit, Mich.)
• $4,998 – Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (Detroit, Mich.)
• $5,000 – Michigan Student Financial Aid Association (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
• $5,000 – Northwest Community Schools (Jackson, Mich.)
• $2,004 – Oakland County Youth Educational Services (Commerce Township, Mich.)
• $4,956 – Pershing High School (Detroit, Mich.)
• $2,000 – Three Rivers High School (Three Rivers, Mich.)
• $1,500 – Vandercook Lake Public Schools (Summit Township, Mich.)

WEST MICHIGAN

• $4,900 – Community Foundation for Mason County (Ludington, Mich.)
• $5,000 – Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
• $5,000 – Grow Benzie (Benzonia, Mich.)
• $2,000 – Hastings High School (Hastings, Mich.)
• $5,000 – Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Mich.)
• $5,000 – Pine River Area High School (Le Roy, Mich.)
• $5,000 – West Shore Community College (Scottville, Mich.)