The Kalamazoo Promise and similar scholarship programs have taught leaders that “the barrier we thought was the major barrier — and that is money — is just one barrier,” Fewins-Bliss said. Other barriers include transportation, food insecurity and more and schools have to provide wraparound services to help students get to college and stay in college.

Executive Director of the Michigan College Access Network Ryan Fewins-Bliss talks with Jake Schaf about their Ticket to Tuition sweepstakes.

The Celebrating and Accelerating Attainment: 2025 & Beyond convened nearly 500 institutional leaders, researchers, funders, and student success practitioners in Washington, D.C. on April 2 and 3, 2025. The discussions highlighted field-driven progress in accelerating postsecondary degree and credential attainment and set bold intentions for helping even more individuals earn credentials of value.

Federal student loan debt is a critical challenge, according to the Department of Education. So much so, the department is reminding higher education institutions of their legal responsibility to support borrowers in debt.

At least 85% of AmeriCorps staff were put on administrative leave this month, with at least some notified last week that they would be let go because of a reduction in force, The Associated Press reported.

A total of $400 million in AmeriCorps grants were axed, according to America’s Service Commission, a nonprofit that represents state and national service commissions, including funding for food pantries and disaster relief programs in areas impacted by recent natural disasters. The majority of AmeriCorps’ staff was also put on administrative leave in mid-April.

Michigan is expected to lose about $15 million in grant funding for AmeriCorps projects, which range from assisting seniors to reading tutors for children, as part of a larger effort by the federal government to slash the agency’s overall budget.

More than 9,000 Michigan students have already entered a sweepstakes to win up to $50,000 by filling out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the “Ticket to Tuition” sweepstakes last week as part of an effort to increase FAFSA completion and connect more students with state and federal financial aid.

After years of declining participation, high school seniors are outpacing last year’s graduating class in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

On Tuesday, Michigan officials announced a sweepstakes, the Ticket to Tuition, that will award up to $50,000 in college funds if they fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.