This growing network of trained professionals can be a resource for high schools, colleges, and youth-serving organizations as they assist Michigan students and families with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Getting a college degree in Detroit has never been easy. More than half of all children in Detroit live below the poverty line. Many Detroit public school graduates do not enroll in college within a year of finishing high school. And of those who do enroll, most don’t earn a degree within six years.

It’s the time of year when Michigan high schoolers commit to the colleges they plan to attend. For many, that means signing up for a federal student loan, and several changes are coming that will affect not just future student loan borrowers, but those already in debt.

“We … would recommend creation of a tuition incentive program task force so that they could recommend updates,” Fewins-Bliss said. “We know the governor’s office has proposed some changes in their budget to the Tuition Incentive Program. I think we should take some time to learn about that and study that before we jump into any solutions.”

Millions of Americans are being forced off the SAVE payment plan, with a Trump administration program taking its place. Guidance from the Department of Education has, so far, been sporadic. “It may be beneficial for folks to just wait and see what happens,” Fewins-Bliss said. “Will new plans sprout up? Will something happen in the next year’s budget? Will they actually enforce moving you out of the SAVE plan?”

Wide swaths of northern Michigan have high levels of poverty and low levels of college education. In areas like Mio, Harrison and Kincheloe, upward income mobility — doing better than your parents — is as low as the poorest neighborhoods of Detroit and Flint.

At a roundtable on higher education priorities for the 2027 budget, advocates said fixing Michigan’s dual enrollment system — which allows high school students to earn college credit — remains their top legislative ask.

The state awarded more than $558.9 million in state financial aid to more than 153,000 Michigan students during the 2024-2025 academic year, as detailed in the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s annual State Scholarships and Grants Report.

According to the Michigan College Access Network, 47.5% of Michigan adults have received either a degree or certificate, compared to 44.8% in 2019. However, if the current trend in postsecondary education holds, the state will reach 53.5% attainment by 2030, the network warns, falling well short of the goal.

“They can get their degree faster, and it’s cheaper because the student is paying nothing. If you can take 30 credits, that’s half an associate’s degree,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN).