Higher Education for All: Midland Area Career & College Access Network Hosts Free FAFSA Workshops

I had the recent pleasure of talking to Kristin Sovis, Postsecondary Education Leader at the Midland Area Community Foundation, about the Midland Area Career & College Access Network. In this conversation we focused on an upcoming series of free workshops to assist Midland County residents in navigating and completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Let’s dive right in!

Love,
Max

Max: Hi Kristin! Thanks so much for chatting with me today! Can you tell us a bit about Midland Area Career and College Access and what the group is all about? How did it come into existence, and what's its mission in our community?

Kristin: Midland Area Career and College Access Network (MCCAN) got its start in 2014 with a group of committed, cross-sector Midland Area leaders coming together to commit to postsecondary access and attainment for all. Career and College Advisers began working with first-generation, low-income, and historically marginalized students in Midland County’s high schools and action teams began coming together to share postsecondary support resources, insights about learners and their needs, and network to serve learners per their individual and group needs.

The Network’s mission has remained intact for over a decade, which is to:
1) Ensure equitable access to comprehensive services aimed at assisting all students in completing postsecondary education, but especially first-generation, low-income, and students of historically marginalized populations,
2) Build a culture that encourages completion of career preparation or college education,
3) Increase success of both traditional and nontraditional students through lowering barriers.
And its projects have evolved to include many; these projects are led by the Network’s 2 action teams: the Postsecondary Student Success Team and the Adult Learner Team. K12 administrators and counselors, Career and College Advisers, nonprofit leaders and service providers, workforce development providers, higher education support service providers, business owners and community engagement officers, philanthropic leaders, and community leaders participate on these teams.

M: So, the group is organizing these Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshops across various locations in Midland County. What inspired the Midland Area Career and College Access to host these events?

K: Great question! Midland Area Career & College Access Network has always prioritized supporting learners in preparing for their postsecondary education experiences with financial aid literacy workshops and activities. Given recent influxes in state and federal aid for postsecondary education of diverse types—including college degrees, trades certificates, and other certificate-bearing professional programs—Midland Area Career & College Access Network prioritized getting the word of this out to learners in our community!

These workshops—held in various spaces and at different times—are brought to the Midland Area community thanks to the expertise and efforts of multiple Midland Area Career and College Access Network partners, including all 7 Midland County high schools, Northwood University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Delta College! Choose a FAFSA night that works for you and the learner(s) in your life to come learn about the financial aid that can help you complete your postsecondary degree or certificate!

M: Can you share some insights into how attending these FASFA workshops might positively impact individuals on their journey towards higher education?

K: Yes, of course! Career and College Advisers and financial aid experts will be on hand to answer all of your questions. You’ll learn how to set up your FAFSA ID, have help completing the FAFSA (which unlocks state and federal dollars you can use for tuition and education expenses), learn about scholarships, and have 1:1 financial aid counseling and conversation should you choose!