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!

The all-new 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) launched Jan. 1 with the most significant updates to the form and process in decades. With the delayed released date followed by a "soft launch", pauses for maintenance, and rolling updates, the Winter Series is focused entirely on financial aid with a series of community presentations, virtual workshops, and weekend workshops to ensure this vital piece of planning is completed to keep the Class of 2024 on track with their postsecondary goals after graduation!

See which event fits your family's needs and register today! https://sccresa.revtrak.net/rwstudentprograms/

These live, virtual workshop are for parents and students with the focus of working on their applications, navigate challenges, and get your questions answered in a one-on-one, private virtual setting. Stay 5 mins, take up the whole hour...this is an opportunity to engage with FAFSA experts from the comforts of your home or during your lunch hour to access the information you need to complete your applications.

The Athletic Factory as they host their annual FAFSA and TIP workshops at its newly renovated headquarters. Workshops are open to all students and families 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Scan the QR Code below to register today!

The Community Foundation of St. Clair County is accepting scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 school year! Are you a graduating high school senior or returning back to school to finish your degree? We have scholarship opportunities for you whether your headed to a community college, 4-year university or trade school. All of the scholarships may be used for tuition and fees, room and board, books and educational expenses.

The portal closes March 3rd. www.stclairfoundation.org/scholarships

TEC's annual Open House is February 22. 10th-grade students and their families can tour TEC, talk to instructors, look at various programs, and see what hands-on learning is all about.

• 95.9% of high school students enrolled in a CTE program graduated last year (2021-22). That’s compared to Michigan’s graduation rate of 81%.
• CTE offers students hands-on training that can be applied to real-world, in-demand education, training and career pathways.
• CTE prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers in fields like health care, IT, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, management & more!

Recently, the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) released an announcement regarding the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), also known as the Better FAFSA. Government agencies and higher education institutions are not expected to receive FAFSA data until sometime in March.

What Does This Mean for High School Counselors and College Advisers?

• This delay does not impact a student’s ability to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA. Keep encouraging your seniors to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA as soon as possible.
• High School Counselors and College Advisers who have access to MiSSG will not have access to FAFSA completion data, including Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility, until MI Student Aid receives this information.

Note: Once MI Student Aid receives FAFSA data from Federal Student Aid, required testing will take place to ensure the data is accurately displayed in MiSSG. This information will not be available until testing is completed.

What Does This Mean for Students and Families?

• This delay does not impact a student’s ability to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA. We encourage high school seniors to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA as soon as possible.
• Upon completing the FAFSA, students will receive an email informing them that their FAFSA form has been fully processed and their FAFSA information has been sent to the institutions they listed on their form.
• Students who applied using the online FAFSA form will receive an email that they can access their FAFSA Submission Summary by logging into StudentAid.gov using their account username and password.

MI Student Aid will continue to keep you updated as more information is available.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is not affiliated with National Merit Scholarship Corporation or its registered trademarks National Achievement®, Achievement Scholarship®, or Achievement Scholar®.

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