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The Mason County District Library, along with Mason College Access Network, Mason County Promise Zone and West Shore Community College have teamed up to offer drop-in college financial aid access support over the next two weeks at both the Ludington and Scottville libraries.
Michigan now offers more funding than ever to afford college. Starting in fall 2024, for graduates from the graduating high school classes of 2023 and 2024 students will have free community college if they complete their FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) and attend college full-time at the community college in their district through the Michigan Community College Guarantee.
College students who qualify for the Guarantee and Pell grant through FAFSA will also get an additional $1,000 from the state to offset other costs of college like transportation, housing, and educational supplies. In addition, students from these classes may still qualify by August 1 for an educational supplies award of $500 if they will be full-time and using the Mason County Promise Scholarship. Michigan Achievement Scholarship offerings have also been expanded for university students across the state who qualify based on FAFSA and income, and the scholarship can now be used for anything up to the total cost of attending college.
Michigan also offers the ReConnect scholarship for adults ages 21 and over to attend community college tuition-free for full-time study, but there is a limited time for adults ages 21-24 to qualify, which ends on November 15, 2024. That’s why coaches in local College Access Networks and Promise Zones are working hard to provide outreach and support to get residents connected to college opportunities. Many residents don’t yet realize how affordable college can be, or the benefits of a college degree. In addition to career opportunities, over a lifetime of work, people with a college degree make a million dollars more, on average, than those with no college credential.
Adults of any age who are interested in considering college, or who have signed up and need support to navigate college are welcomed to join Summer Success Coach Tess O’Neal, WSCC College Completion Coach Talea Fournier, FAFSA Support coach Cheryl Berry, and Promise Director Jody Maloney on Tuesdays and Thursdays in late July and early August for information and assistance. These college access coaches can help students to get answers and access additional help for their college-going efforts.
The coaches will be available during the following days, times and locations:
Ludington library, 217 E. Ludington Ave., Tuesday, July 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, July 30, 4 to 6 p.m.
Scottville library, 204 E. State St., Thursday, July 25, 4 to 6 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 1, 3 to 5 p.m.
For more information or questions, reach out to info@masoncountypromise.org.
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