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.

The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for all high school students to take the next steps in your career and college planning for after graduation and beyond. The Fall Series is here to help you navigate this process whether you’re considering attending a trade school, community college, or 4-year university or even entering the workforce.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Register online at bwcan.org.
All St. Clair County high school students and families are welcome!

St. Clair County Association of School Boards (SCCASB) is once again offering $1000 Scholarships to up to seven (7) 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 is eligible to apply.

October is Michigan College Month! This annual statewide initiative is to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college. During this time, many of Michigan's two- and four-year postsecondary institutions are waiving college application fees. Check out these lists and apply to the college on your list for free today!

The 2024–25 FAFSA® form will be released in December this year, not Oct. 1 ​ ​ ...And, there are big changes coming! Get ready for a revamped FAFSA experience and a smoother application process.​​ ​ Learn more about updates to the FAFSA form: http://StudentAid.gov/decemberfafsa

On Oct. 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the temporary expansion of Michigan Reconnect. The program, which provides a tuition-free path to community college completion for adults ages 25 and older, is now accepting adults ages 21-24 who have not yet earned a college degree. Program availability for the younger age group is limited; applicants must enroll no later than Nov. 15, 2024. Michigan Reconnect was established in February 2021. Since then, more than 132,000 people have applied to the program.

Learn more and apply →

Beginning with the Class of 2024, 10 of Michigan's 15 public universities have committed to joining the Michigan Assured Admissions Pact. The MAAP ensures every Michigan high school graduate with a 3.0 GPA or higher will be admitted to participating universities.

https://maap.org/

Students and families looking for help paying for college are encouraged to register for a Virtual Financial Aid Presentation provided by Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid team.

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

October 5, 2023 at 12 - 1 p.m.

October 19, 2023 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

November 2, 2023 at 12 - 1 p.m.

November 16, 2023 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

December 7, 2023 at 12 - 1 p.m.

December 21, 2023 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

High school students and families interested in learning more about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship are encouraged to register for an informational webinar provided by Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid team. Participants will be able to gather the following information:

• Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
• Important action items for students and families
• Additional resources and program information

All sessions are free of charge and open to the public.

October 4, 2023 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

November 1, 2023 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

December 6, 2023 at 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

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.

MI Student Aid is excited to announce that registration for the new Mini Webinar Series for High School Counselors is now available! Each 45-minute mini webinar will focus on a specific topic. These topics include:

• MI Student Aid outreach services and support
• Live demonstration of the functions and features in the MiSSG High School Counselor Portal
• MiSSG student data overview
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship & Scholarship Month Kickoff
• TIP Scholarship Overview and Best Practices
• Programs and Resources for Students from Special Populations

We encourage high school counselors to expand their knowledge and register for multiple mini webinars trainings. Register today for one or more mini webinar trainings using the links below!

Meet the MI Student Aid Outreach Team Recording

LIVE Demo of the MiSSG High School Counselor Portal (Module #1) Recording

LIVE Demo of the MiSSG High School Counselor Portal (Module #2) Recording

November 1, 2023 - Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Scholarship Month Kick-Off at 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

November 16, 2023 - TIP Scholarship Overview and Best Practices at 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

November 28, 2023 - Programs and Resources for Students from Special Populations at 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

December 12, 2023 - MiSSG Updates, FAFSA Completion Data and Resources in MiSSG at 10:30 a.m.

SCECH credit will be offered for these sessions. More information regarding SCECH's will be available during the training.

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/

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 and find information for 2023.

This MCAN webinar series features sessions hosted by admissions experts from Michigan’s postsecondary institutions. Each webinar provides an overview of the admissions process from three institutions and addresses updates to their current admissions practices.

Learn more and register →

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