Blue Water College Access Network

Welcome to your resource for planning, preparing, and going to college after high school. Blue Water College Access Network is here to provide information and opportunities that will ensure you graduate confidently prepared, with plans for career and college beyond high school. Whether you choose to go on to a 4-year, 2-year, technical school, trade school, or apprenticeship, we can help you get there!

Each month, we will publish a newsletter to keep you on track, informed, and engaged in college activities provided by organizations across the county. To subscribe to the newsletter, submit your email address using this form. Contact Nick Beaudry with any questions you might have at beaudry.nick@sccresa.org.

The Blue Water College Access Network’s 4-Part webinar series will provide high school students with the essential steps for career and college planning. During these 1-hour virtual sessions, industry experts will help students and their families easily navigate the application process, identify important changes, and successfully prepare for their future after graduation.

*One attendee at each event will win a $500 scholarship from the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

October Events

Scholarships and Paying for College - October 21 | 7PM

To learn more and to register, click the schedule, or go directly to the event registration site.

BWCAN suggests 4 things high school juniors can do this fall to help prepare for college, along with tips for completing each step.

With the opening of the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA) October 1, College Month launched in Michigan. During College Month, high school counselors, college advisers, and community members focus on helping high school seniors apply for federal students aid, so you will be hearing a lot about the FAFSA this month. Here are a few reasons why you should start you application TODAY:

• You may be entitled to FREE money for college that you may never have to repay - from federal or state funds
• You will learn how much financial aid you can receive
• Most colleges require the FAFSA in order for you to receive their scholarships
• Even if your family thinks they do not qualify, you may be entitled to money you will miss out on if you do not apply - most students qualify for some kind of aid

Last year, BILLIONS of dollars in aid went unclaimed - that could have been YOUR money, so apply now! In addition, most colleges waive application fees during the month of October.

Looking for more information and missed the BWCAN FAFSA Webinar last month? We recorded it for viewing at any time. Find it here.

Do you know of a high school graduate that was a front-line worker for at least 11 of 14 weeks between April 1 - June 30? If so, they are eligible for scholarship money through the community college.

What is it?

• Provides scholarships for Michiganders without college degrees who worked in frontline jobs in essential industries during the state COVID-19 shutdown in Spring 2020

• Provides tuition-free access to public community colleges to earn an associate degree or industry-recognized certificate

• Uses federal funds to launch the program

Two Pathways

Path 1: For the frontline workers who have a high school degree (or equivalent)

Path 2: For the frontline workers who need to complete a high school degree (or equivalent)

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a Michigan resident

• Worked in an essential industry (at least half time) for 11 of 14 weeks from April 1 to June 30, 2020

• Have not previously earned a degree

• Not be in default on a Federal student loan

Scholarship Requirements

• Apply to and be admitted to a Michigan public community college

• Enroll at least half time in a Pell-eligible program that leads to an associate degree or industry-recognized certificate

• Complete the current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Enroll and begin classes in the winter, spring, summer, or fall semester of 2021

Complete the Futures for Frontliners scholarship application by December 31, 2020

• Application period: September 10 - December 31, 2020

• To apply and for more information, click here

Local Contact at SC4

Contact Jo Cassar at St. Clair County Community College if you have any questions about the Futures for Frontliners Scholarship Program. Jo may be reached at 810.989.5539 or jcassar@sc4.edu. SC4's Futures for Frontliners webpage also has an extensive FAQ section to answer your most pressing questions now.

As we approach the opening of the 2021 FAFSA on October 1, be sure to include SC4 as one of the schools that receives data from the aid form. Many students, especially this fall, have made last-minute decisions to attend SC4, and having the FAFSA information already sent to the college makes the financial aid process much quicker and easier in those cases.

Email: beaudry.nick@sccresa.org
Website: bwcan.org
Location: 499 Range Road, Marysville, MI, USA
Phone: 810.455.4261
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueWaterCAN/
Twitter: @BlueWaterCAN