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.

AdviseMI - St. Clair and Marine City High Schools

Do you want to help high school students explore their postsecondary options and decide on a next step that's best for them?

AdviseMI trains and places advisers in selected high schools across Michigan to serve as college advisers. Advisers focus on working with students who would be first in their family to go to college, students of color, and students from low-income backgrounds to overcome barriers to college access. Advisers believe that college is postsecondary education (bachelor's, associate, and certificates) and college is for everyone! Serving alongside high school counselors and other school professionals, advisers support students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education.

Degrees required: Bachelor's degree

Experience required: None

Locations: select high schools throughout Michigan

Perfect for: recent college grads, mid-level professionals seeking a career change, individuals who want a career in K-12, nonprofit or higher education, retirees who still want to be connected and are open to full-time employment for one year, folks who want Michigan students to succeed!

AdviseMI Flyer

College Advisers FAQ

AdviseMI AmeriCorps Member Position Description

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

Michigan State University College Advising Corps - Algonac High School

Looking for a full time job that makes an impact? Apply to serve with MSUCAC! Our College Advisers help high school students reach their post-secondary dreams, working with students one-on-one and in group settings to ensure they are finding their best match and fit pathway.

We still have placements available for this upcoming school year, but apply soon as we are hiring on a rolling basis. You can learn more and apply at https://linktr.ee/msu_cac. We accept recent and upcoming bachelors degree graduates of ALL majors (from MSU or if you attended one of our partner high schools), no experience required.

Have you heard of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship? Check out the details today. http://michigan.gov/achievement

Did you know the majority of SC4 students earn affordable credits before transferring on to earn bachelor's and graduate degrees? Fall semester is closer than you think! Get your class schedule set to make sure you get the classes you want. Fall semester starts Aug. 21.

Are you a high school student? Get ahead of the game by earning free college credits while in high school. Learn more and register for fall classes today!

We're now accepting applications from students interested in living in the College’s student residence halls for the 2023-24 academic year. During the 2022-23 academic year, students from the local community and around the nation chose to live on campus.

SC4's new wheelchair basketball team is open to students and community members with disabilities or those who are able-bodied and passionate about wheelchair basketball. Learn more at https://sc4.edu/news/sc4-adds-adaptive-sports-wheelchair-basketball-team-to-its-athletic-offerings/.
Photo credit: Sydney Verlinde

Each month, we feature a video from the "How to College" series produced by the Study Hall Program, a partnership between Crash Course and Arizona State University. The Study Hall Program is in the process of publishing the 15-video series, and we will feature a video each month over 16 months.

In this month's video, Transitioning from School to Work, Erica talks about how to think about what comes after college. Get a list of upcoming episodes for Fast Guides and How to College at https://gostudyhall.com/

Because there's a lot of information to keep track of when you're applying to college, Crash Course made an easy spreadsheet to help you compare schools, keep track of application requirements, and set your goals! Copy this free template and make it your own: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ycGCb-JeGpiu0LLJCUVvV_Zlm5W8u5eimgk3N3blmug/edit#gid=0

To preview upcoming topics, check out the episode guide.

From the Study Hall Program:

Dr. Erica Brozovsky (from PBS's Otherwords) hosts and breaks down how to apply for, succeed at, and graduate from college. We hope you'll join us for this journey and check out our all new Study Hall Channel where you can watch Fast Guides about college majors and even more series. Get a list of upcoming episodes for Fast Guides and How to College at https://gostudyhall.com/

Each month, counselors can find current college and career counseling information and professional learning opportunities in the Counselor Corner section of the BWCAN newsletter. A running compilation of opportunities can also be found on the Counselors page at bwcan.org.

Counselors looking for opportunities to earn credits to renew their certificates have flexible free online courses that may fulfill your needs:

Michigan Virtual Counselor Courses - various SCECH Credits

Understanding the Modern Military - 5 SCECH Credits

MCAN Upcoming Webinars - .5-1 SCECH Credit each

MCAN Webinar Recordings - 1 Credit each

Full list from MDE: Free and Low-Cost Online Professional Learning Options Approved for Certificate Renewal and Progression

SC4 has a handy webpage for those guiding students' college and career planning. They have updated English and math placement information, AP course equivalencies and more. Check it out here: https://sc4.edu/admissions/high-school-counselors/

Being the go-to resource for students on financial aid can be an overwhelming, high-stakes task with momentous implications for each student's future. Significant changes to the process, including the new FAFSA and the introduction of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, highlight the urgency and opportunity for high-quality training. MCAN and uAspire are partnering to offer best-in-class training, support, and tools to better position practitioners to meet the unique needs of all Michigan students.

This badging opportunity is open to school counselors, college advisers, success coaches, and other college access and success professionals. There are limited spots available that will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to reserve your spot is Aug. 10, but registration may close earlier if we reach capacity.

Training Details

To earn a badge and be recognized as a Certified FAFSA Specialist, registrants will participate in a series of virtual training sessions, complete quizzes about financial aid and the FAFSA completion process, and create a FAFSA Completion Action Plan.

What does it mean to earn a badge?

Upon successful completion of all training components, participants will receive a certificate of completion, social media assets, and other elements of recognition, in addition to earning SCECHs. They will also be regarded as FAFSA specialists who can support the training of others, when needed. Those who receive a badge will be eligible for a grant to assist in implementing a FAFSA Completion Action Plan in their community.

APPLY NOW

Award Letters Are Arriving — Do Your Students Understand Them?

Students might need help navigating financial aid offers. These offers, often referred to as award letters, should spark conversations about college affordability between students, families and the professionals who help them along their postsecondary pathways.

Learn more about Award Letters here.

2023-24 FAFSA and FSA Updates: What Do You Need to Know?

National College Attainment Network highlights the latest changes in the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Learn more about the latest FAFSA changes here.

Virtual College Financial Aid Nights

MI Student Aid hosted virtual college financial aid nights for students and families looking for college financial assistance.

Watch 2022 Virtual Financial Aid recordings here

Registration deadline: Aug. 4

The Equity-Focused Career Development and Postsecondary Transitions Counselor Course is designed for professional school counselors and pre-service school counselors, career advisers, and educators. Participants will acquire the skills and knowledge needed to address equity and access issues in career development and help students prepare for postsecondary education and careers.

Learn more and register →

MCAN, in partnership with San Diego State University's Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment, is accepting applications for the 2023-25 School Counselor Fellows program. Counselors who are passionate about advocating to improve postsecondary opportunities for students and who are ready to become a leader in their school community are encouraged to apply. A stipend and SCECHs will be available. The deadline to submit applications is Aug. 31.

Learn more →

Registration is now open for the 2023-24 cycle of College Bound Michigan, MCAN's suite of initiatives designed to build and support college-going cultures in high schools and their surrounding communities. This program helps school counselors, college advisers, community-based partners, and other educators create systems and practices that connect all students with the opportunity for formal education beyond high school, including postsecondary certificates and academic degrees.

CBMI brings together three statewide high school initiatives — Michigan College Month, College Cash Campaign, and College Decision Day — into one campaign to help bring Michigan closer to Sixty by 30. There is no cost to participate, and all Michigan high schools and community-based organizations that work with high school students are invited to sign up. Click the register button below to learn more. Current CBMI sites, be sure to register to ensure you are included as a host site for next year! Registration will remain open through the fall, but signing up now ensures timely delivery of resources and takes something off your summer/fall to-do lists.

Why should my school or organization sign up?

As a CBMI Host Site, you will have access to:

• Exclusive funding opportunities
• Promotional materials
• Student-facing, grab-and-go resources
• Counselor/adviser-facing toolkits and implementation guides
• Professional development opportunities
  

REGISTER

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