Five grants totaling $26,586 awarded to support postsecondary attainment efforts across Michigan

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has awarded $26,586 in its sixth round of COVID-19 Response Grants to five organizations in Michigan. These grants help Michigan high schools, Local College Access Networks, community-based nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions support emergent postsecondary projects and programs in their communities. MCAN is also now partnering with other funders to co-sponsor these grants.

The grants were announced by MCAN in early April 2020 to demonstrate MCAN’s responsiveness to and support of communities affected by the global health pandemic that continues to have a major impact in Michigan, predominantly in minority communities MCAN serves. 

Thus far, MCAN has awarded 46 COVID-19 Response Grants totaling $220,339.

The following COVID-19 Response Grants have been awarded in this round of distribution:

§ Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation (Grand Rapids, MI)

Awarded $9,988
Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation used its funds to supply 30 student households with a Wi-Fi hotspot device that included a data plan. In addition, funds paid for six months of access to Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. Together, these efforts ensured that graduating seniors could complete graduation requirements.

§  Mason County College Access Network (Ludington, MI)
Awarded $9,300
Mason County College Access Network is using its funds to launch “Connecting to College through Mason County Family Link.” The goal of this initiative is to support up to 180 low-income students by providing internet access to facilitate SAT test preparation and completion of college readiness tasks.

§  Mesick Consolidated Schools (Mesick, MI)

Awarded $2,498
Mesick Consolidated Schools will be using their grant to launch “College-Bound Mesick," which will provide support to students in the areas of college and career exploration, SAT test preparation, as well as college and financial aid applications.  This includes visits to college campuses and student incentives.

§  Niles High School (Niles, MI)
Awarded $2,300
Niles High School used their funds for their Class of 2020 senior recognition and celebration, which included the placement of signs and banners in students’ yards honoring graduating seniors as they prepare for their postsecondary plans. 

§  University Prep Art & Design (Detroit, MI)
Awarded $2,500
University Prep Art & Design is using their funds for an initiative called “College Bound Summer.” This initiative will work to reduce summer melt of the 2020 graduates as well as provide SAT preparation and college tours for incoming seniors.

“Since April, MCAN has taken on the responsibility of funding impactful postsecondary attainment initiatives across the state of Michigan,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN. “The global health pandemic has disproportionately affected populations traditionally prevented from accessing higher education including low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color. I’m proud that we have the capacity to rapidly mobilize resources and act as a support to schools and organizations. I also want to acknowledge all of the funding partners who have joined us in co-funding some of these grants."

In the coming weeks, MCAN will be announcing additional grant awards. Thus far, more than 150 grant applications have been received by MCAN. Applications for these grants are being accepted until July 31, 2020. More information is online. 

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (MCAN)
As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN works to improve the futures of Michigan’s students and communities by making college accessible to all. MCAN’s work centers on one main goal: To increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030. MCAN engages partners statewide who are committed to systems-level change and the reduction of barriers to increase college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. MCAN has helped Michigan’s postsecondary attainment rate increase for the 10th consecutive year. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.

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