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 earn a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, or an industry credential, 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. Past editions of the newsletter can be found at bwcan.org. Contact Nick Beaudry with any questions you might have at beaudry.nick@sccresa.org.

Spring is an important time to begin preparing for the next school year. There are steps all high school students, not just graduating seniors, can take to ensure there are no gaps in their career and college planning. Our Webinars will help you develop a plan for the fall, set educational goals, and enjoy a stress-free summer!

Win a $500 Scholarship!

One St. Clair County 11th- or 12th-grade student in attendance will win a $500 scholarship at the end of each webinar. Scholarships are made possible by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

The first Spring event is Thursday, April 8th at 7PM | Register now for Class of 2021: Welcome to Your Freshman Year

The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has recognized Port Huron High School for increasing its FAFSA completing rate by 31%, currently ranking it in the top 10 in the state. Students at Port Huron High are supported by their college adviser, Brandon Wardlow, and counselors Gale Simon, Trish Till, Jennifer Nichols, and Mark Hanton - among the many caring, dedicated staff.

Port Huron High School is among the schools participating in the College Cash Campaign and Governor's FAFSA Challenge, with a goal of increasing Michigan's FAFSA completion rate to 75%. Way to go!

Technical Education Center expands offerings with new education program

St. Clair TEC has announced a new education program, in addition to its existing 13 career-oriented programs for the 2021-22 school year. The new program is designed to meet St. Clair County high school students’ interests and the local demand for skilled childcare workers.

The two-year program will offer students the opportunity to earn a certificate in one of two areas of study—Early Childhood Education or PreK–12 Education. First-year students will explore careers in education, develop independent learning skills, and job shadow a professional for a day. Second-year students will intern in a local school district, preschool, or childcare setting, working under the supervision of a licensed professional or certified teacher.

“This program will allow students to explore the wide range of careers in education and help them make a knowledgeable decision based on their first-hand experience,” said director of career and technical education Pat Yanik. “Students will complete the program with the skills and credentials they need to enter the workforce or further their education at a 2- or 4-year institution.”

Yanik said the goal is to have the education program become the 8th program offered through the Career and Technical Middle College at St. Clair TEC. The CTMC allows students to pursue career-oriented studies in both the high school and college setting while earning college credit at no cost. CTMC students can earn an associate degree at SC4 through an additional year of study.

“There is a critical shortage of skilled childcare professionals at the national, state, and local levels,” said RESA Superintendent Dr. Kevin Miller. “This program will help meet the need of our local community while providing our students with career opportunities in an industry with long-term growth potential.”

Successful completion of the program will enable students to graduate with job-ready skills, earn college credit, get a head start on a college education, and fill needed jobs.

Forty-eight program slots will be available for the 2021-22 school year. Interested students can enroll through their high school counselor.

About St. Clair TEC

The St. Clair County Technical Education Center (TEC) provides career-oriented programs to high school juniors and seniors. TEC offers program choices to students, on- and off-site. Programs provide students the opportunity to earn high school elective and academic credit, college credit, and state or national certification. More information is available on the TEC website at www.sctec.org

As the school year winds down, BWCAN is mobilizing its forces (a.k.a. veteran college advisers) to reach out to Class of 2020 and 2021 graduates who need support enrolling in college this summer. If you, or someone you know, hasn't enrolled yet, be on the lookout for someone to offer assistance this summer. Here's a peek at what coaches have to offer:

• FREE enrollment assistance at your fingertips

• Individualized assistance from near-peer success coaches

• Trained, experienced coaches

• Direct line of communication with colleges

Stay tuned for more information!

Our friends at the Athletic Factory are also hosting FAFSA/TIP workshops on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church (1517 10th St. Port Huron). These are led by Brandon Wardlow and are for graduating seniors who need help filling out FAFSA and TIP paperwork. Final Date: March 27th

Students looking toward taking the SAT or PSAT can find free tips, resources, and practice tests online. CollegeBoard.org offers a question of the day, sample questions, tutorials, and practice tests for the SAT, and KhanAcademy.org provides free and personalized SAT test prep. Learn how to link your previous SAT/PSAT scores to Khan Academy for personalized test preparation. SAT preparation can also lead to Opportunity Scholarships for the Class of 2022.

Enrollment for the Blue Water Middle College Academy's 2021-2022 cohort is now open. 10th grade students attending Algonac, Capac, Memphis, Port Huron, Port Huron Northern, and Yale high schools interested in the Blue Water Middle College can learn more by going to bluewatermiddlecollege.org and clicking on the Enrollment page link.

Now is the time to learn if the middle college is right for you. The BWMCA provides an opportunity for students to begin taking college courses at SC4 in 11th grade and continue through grade 13. BWMCA students can earn an SC4 associate degree and 60 or more transferable credits at no cost.

Applications must be submitted no later than March 31, 2021. (Yale students must submit apps by February 16, 2021). Virtual information sessions are planned for all of our partner schools. Look for announcements from your school or on the BWMCA website.

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