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BEST Benzie uses grant to reduce 'summer melt'

The Benzie County Record Patriot

This year, thanks to a grant from the Michigan College Access Network, the Benzie County college-bound class of 2025 graduates have two college coaches available to help reduce summer melt.

Michigan Awards Nearly $1M to Students Through FAFSA Completion Initiative

Diverse Issues in Higher Education

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II joined state education leaders at Wayne State University to announce the winners, who received either $10,000 or $50,000 awards deposited into Michigan Education Savings Program accounts. The initiative, launched by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration in partnership with the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), drew more than 21,000 entries from students who completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the first time.

A Michigan private college is closing. Why experts say others may not be far behind.

MLive

“What I’ve found when I’ve spoken to the presidents of those institutions (that have closed) and some of their trustees is that they have been privately struggling with this for years, have been doing everything they can to fight against it and had to finally give up the goat and say, ‘It’s time to close, we’re out of options,’” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of Michigan College Access Network.

‘It’s very confusing:’ Return of AmeriCorps grants doesn’t mean end to uncertainty

MLive

While some states found only a portion of their portfolios terminated, Michigan was one of 14 states that had its entire AmeriCorps portfolio eliminated. That includes $2.1 million to MCAN, which resulted in the termination of 60 AmeriCorps workers across four programs, many of whom were embedded in high schools and two-year colleges.

Federal AmeriCorps cuts strain college access for local students

The Port Huron Times Herald

When Maya Savedra started as a college advisor at Port Huron Northern High School two years ago, she thought it would be a short-term role. With a degree in broadcasting and cinematic arts, the AmeriCorps position felt like a practical next step, not a calling.

Advocates for Benzie County receives Rotary Charities grant

The Benzie County Record Patriot

The Advocates for Benzie County has been awarded a $10,000 seed grant from Rotary Charities for a project focusing on adult learners in Benzie County. In cooperation with BEST Benzie and the Michigan College Access Network, the grant will fund a survey and study of the needs and challenges for adult learners between the ages of 25-55 who have no education beyond high school.

Americorps cuts impact non-profits working at schools in Southwest Michigan

WMUK

Federal funding cuts at Americorps could affect the number of Americorps members serving in schools and colleges in Southwest Michigan, as well as recent graduates who hoped to join the program. In April, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, cut 400 million dollars from Americorps.

Kalamazoo learns even free tuition isn’t enough to get kids into college

Bridge Michigan

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.

Ticket to Tuition Helping Students Get Ready for College

Civic Center TV

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

Celebrating and Accelerating Attainment: 2025 & Beyond Convening

Institute for Higher Education Policy

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.