Michigan College Access Network

06/02/2026

The road to college and career success begins with students who are healthy and ready to learn. Research consistently shows that when students have reliable access to nutritious meals, attendance improves, behavior issues decrease, and academic performance rises.

Today, we stand with Senator Dayna Polehanki as the Michigan Senate considers SB-784 and SB-785, legislation that would make Michigan's free school meals program permanent in state law.

At MCAN, we know that school meals are more than food. They are critical for student success. We proudly support these bills and the effort to ensure that every Michigan student has access to free breakfast and lunch at school.

06/02/2026

The Office of Federal Student Aid will now provide instant eligibility information for students who properly filled out the FAFSA and immediately notify those who didn’t of the errors they made following Monday's Real-Time FAFSA Results update.

Students who fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid will now be able to get feedback on their eligibility for grants and loans immediately, thanks to a user experience update the platform launched Monday. The Office of Federal Student Aid will not only provide instant eligibility info...

06/02/2026

06/01/2026

Today is Jamie Jacobs' 15th MCANniversary!

As Deputy Director, Jamie provides strategic support for MCAN, interfacing with all departments and programs, and is a key partner to the executive director in the leadership and management of the organization. Jamie has served in many capacities for the organization including intern, program director, director of professional development, senior director of high school innovation, and now as deputy director since November 2019.

Thank you for 15 years of hard work and leadership!

05/29/2026

Level Up Michigan!, a nonprofit created to boost postsecondary education and skill attainment, is working to raise awareness of the state scholarships from 30% to 80% or better by fall 2027.

“We have more financial aid than we have ever had in the past, and yet students don’t know it exists," said MCAN executive director Ryan Fewins-Bliss during the campaign's launch at the Mackinac Policy Conference. https://www.crainsdetroit.com/education/cdb-free-community-college-campaign-20260528/ #

Lack of knowledge about the program is stunting post-secondary enrollment.

05/29/2026

It's FAFSA Friday! This week, we're highlighting the schools that have seen the highest increases in FAFSA completion vs May 2025. Statewide, Michigan is up 1690 completed FAFSAs compared to this time last year.

Track your school's progress! Visit fafsa.micollegeaccess.org ✨📈

05/19/2026

Remember when you weren’t sure if you were “college material”? Be the person who helps a student see what’s possible.

Your story can change theirs. Now hiring college advisers and coaches for the 2026-27 school year — visit micollegeaccess.org/jobs to learn more and apply.

05/19/2026

"We should view our public universities as vital public resources — much like our Great Lakes or state parks — worthy of investment and stewardship. Talent is universal; opportunity should be as well." — Richard Bierschbach, president of Wayne State University

State funding for colleges and universities has plummeted, writes the president of Wayne State University, and Michigan is paying the price.

05/19/2026

MCAN's pitch competition is back again for YEAR 3 👀 Want to win up to $5,000 and present ✨ that big idea ✨ you've been thinking about onstage at MCAN's conference? Submit an interest form by JUNE 30 to participate!

💡 For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org/professional-development/annual-conference

05/18/2026

Last week, MCAN — along with Almy Education and Sova — hosted the Gateway Course Innovation Summit. Teams from 14 Michigan colleges and universities showcased progress rethinking and restructuring key gateway courses and attended sessions to foster peer learning, demonstrate best practices, share lessons learned, and elevate recommendations for transforming developmental education.

Learn more about the Gateway Course Redesign Faculty Academy: https://buff.ly/kuO9Tkm