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.

With spring approaching, and our eyes looking toward the future, now is an excellent time to plan your high school course schedule with your goals in mind. Resources in this issue provide more information about TEC, the Blue Water Middle College, Advanced Placement, and more. Start below to learn how local grads took advantage of opportunities in high school to earn college credit and save money, setting themselves up for success.

Each student and family have a unique plan for their future career and college goals. This parent-to-parent conversation will help parents and students navigate various career pathways, including trades and apprenticeships, community college programs, and 4-year colleges and universities. Join us for planning tips and advice to help secure employment in the highest demand fields.

If you missed the Career & College Planning webinar that took place in January, check out the recording below.

FAFSA deadline reminders from MI Student Aid:

When is the FAFSA Deadline?

To maximize your eligibility for student financial aid, there are a few deadlines to keep in mind when submitting your FAFSA.

State of Michigan FAFSA Deadline

To be considered for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship or Michigan Tuition Grant, students must submit the current year FAFSA by March 1 each year.

Federal FAFSA Deadline

If you plan to attend college during the 2020-2021 academic year, the deadline to complete this FAFSA is June 30, 2021.

If you plan to attend college during the 2021-2022 academic year, the deadline to complete this FAFSA is June 30, 2022.

MI Student Aid Virtual College Financial Aid Nights

Students and families looking for help paying for college are encouraged to register for a Virtual College Financial Aid Night provided by Treasury’s MI Student Aid team. Sessions will be available on February 22nd, February 23rd, and February 24th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST.

Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:

• FAFSA application information
• Federal financial aid programs
• State financial aid programs
• Scholarship searching resources

All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Please register below for the date that works best for you:

Tuesday, February 22nd (6:30 pm - 8:00 pm)
Wednesday, February 23rd (6:30 pm - 8:00 pm)
Thursday, February 24th (6:30 pm - 8:00 pm)

To qualify for financial aid; including, Federal aid, State aid, Institutional aid, and many scholarships, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is FREE and can be completed online at www.fafsa.gov.

It’s time to apply for scholarships. Numerous scholarships are available for the 2022-23 academic year. Some are geared toward students who plan to study a specific subject, while others are intended for students from a particular town or high school. There are also a number of awards open to students based on academic performance and extracurricular activities. Whatever your background, there’s likely a scholarship that you are qualified for! Application deadline is March 13. Explore available scholarship opportunities and apply today at https://sc4.academicworks.com/.

SC4 has in-demand programs taught by expert faculty. Get a complete college experience at a fraction of the cost. Earn credits that easily transfer for your four-year degree. Be part of a vibrant campus and downtown community. Late-start classes allow students to earn credits at a faster pace. Check out a complete list of 8-week classes starting the week of March 14 at https://sc4.edu/schedule.

We are now accepting scholarship applications for the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. Deadline to apply is March 13. More information here: https://www.stclairfoundation.org/scholarships/

Our friends at Athletic Factory are also hosting FAFSA/TIP Workshops on Jan. 29, Feb. 19 and Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Brandon Wardlow will be on site at 1517 10th Street in Port Huron to assist students with completing their paperwork. (More info available in the attached graphic).

Inspired by the Futures for Frontliners scholarship program, MCAN is proud to announce the Michigan Equity, Courage, Hope, and Opportunity Scholarship. The MI ECHO scholarship provides a tuition-free pathway to an associate degree or certificate for frontline workers who are excluded from most traditional federal financial aid. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who are:

• Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
• Granted Temporary Protected Status.
• Classified as Special Immigrant Juveniles.

Learn more →
Visit the MI ECHO website →

St. Clair County Association of School Boards (SCCASB) is once again offering four $1000 Scholarships to four deserving high school seniors. These are competitive scholarships that will be awarded countywide. Any graduating senior student attending a high school or alternative high school in any of the seven local districts are eligible to apply.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

Apply by March 4, 2022

View Class of 2021 scholarship winners here.

The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has compiled a list of Michigan colleges with no application fee during the 2021-22 school year.

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.

Explore Military Career Options

Are you interested in learning about the career opportunities for students who are considering joining the military? Earn 5 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) by exploring Military Career options! Visit Military Course Directions (michigan.gov) for further details!

March 10-11, 2022

2022 MACAC Annual Conference: "Reunite, Rejuvenate, Refocus" at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester

MACAC looks forward to bringing high school counselors and college admissions professionals together for reconnection, networking, professional development, and an opportunity to renew our focus as we guide students in the school-to-postsecondary transition and help the State of Michigan meet the goal of Sixty by 30!

REGISTER HERE

Michigan College Access Network is proud to partner with Xello to host a new series of professional development webinars for K-12 educators in Michigan. Together with Xello, a modern college, career, and future readiness software, we are excited to offer this opportunity to our network.

Starting in October, we will be co-hosting a free 8-part monthly webinar series that will focus on timely topics like how to address disrupted learning and how to use your limited time to best serve students applying for college. You don't need to commit to the whole series; register for the topics that fit your interests and schedule. Earn SCECHs while learning how to use Xello to meet Michigan's Career Development Program requirements and help your students build their Educational Development Plans.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO 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