Due to advocacy work and successful legal challenges lodged against President Donald Trump’s administration, funding for several programs has been restored, allowing the Michigan College Access Network to relaunch the programs last month.

Millions of dollars in AmeriCorps funding has been restored in Michigan, putting high school and college counselors back on campuses around the state after a temporary funding pause earlier this year. The financial boost allows programs like AdviseMI to resume operations, including at East Lansing Public Schools, where college adviser Candace Moore works with students to explore college options and plan for their futures.

The grant will fund several initiatives at the tribal college. The school plans to expand its Learning Assistant program and launch a Summer Bridge program to help new students adjust to college-level coursework. Faculty members will also participate in the Michigan College Access Network Gateway Course Redesign, starting with English and math courses.

The Michigan College Access Network awarded Bay College with the Endurance Award. Bay won the award at MCAN’s 14th Annual Conference in Lansing earlier this month. Bay College President Nerita Hughes says the college won for its creativity in working with K-12, as well as with other colleges. She says the award helps de-stigmatize community college.

Lapeer High School counselor Julie Pecore has been recognized for her efforts to prepare students for college and inspire their pursuits of postsecondary degrees.

“As we celebrate College Month, we also want to recognize the incredible work of Michigan College Access Network,” Director of Admissions Jessica Beaver said. “MCAN provides valuable resources to students and families preparing for college from financial aid guidance to college planning tools, they help make higher education more accessible across the state of Michigan.”

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) has been selected as one of 14 Michigan institutions to participate in the inaugural Gateway Course Redesign Faculty Academy, an 18-month initiative by the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) in collaboration with Almy Education and Sova.

After months of difficult negotiation that nearly pushed the state into a government shutdown, the Michigan legislature and governor’s office were able to come together and pass a bipartisan fiscal year 2026 budget early this morning. Michigan College Access Network, along with our partners in K-12 and higher education, are digging through the budget bills, evaluating what they mean for Michigan’s students and families.

The budget’s higher education plan, which marginally increases operational funds for all 15 of Michigan’s public universities and more than two dozen community colleges, may fall short of some priorities that industry leaders stumped for as state budget talks rolled on this fall.

With application fees waived at many colleges, Michigan's annual College Month is providing critical support to thousands of high school seniors preparing for their next steps