Michigan Business Beat | Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN - FAFSA Week of Action - April 15-19

Michigan Business Network

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Ryan Fewins-Bliss executive director MCAN - Michigan College Access Network. Topic: FAFSA Week of Action - April 15-19 In their discussion they cover several points including: Objective: MCAN supports school counselors and college advisers as their students and families navigate shortened FAFSA timelines. MCAN actions: ● Compiled an Evolving FAFSA spreadsheet that tracks institutional changes in enrollment deadlines ● Offered Certified FAFSA Specialist Training for select school counselors, educators, and others who work directly with students ○ This training is offered at no cost to the participants ○ All training sessions are recorded and available to the public ○ A list of Certified FAFSA Specialists is available to support people who work with students. This is not for students and families. Contact Jeneen Hatoum for details ● Hosting a variety of webinars to keep school counselors and other professionals up to date on FAFSA changes and offer strategies for dealing with this year’s shortened timeline ○ School counselors and educators can earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours for attending live webinars or by watching recorded webinars and completing a quiz ○ Webinars are offered at no cost to the participants ● Maintaining an up-to-date resource hub for schools participating in our College Bound Michigan initiative ○ While designed to be used in the context of CBMI, all resources are public and available to anyone ● Using our network of college advisers serving in AdviseMI and MSU College Advising Corps to disseminate accurate information in schools across the state ● Worked with a coalition of higher education institutions to create a student/parent letter encouraging students to continue completing college-going steps despite unexpected delays ● Using social media to celebrate high schools who are making good progress in FAFSA submissions ● Using our email and social media channels to share valuable updates on the FAFSA process with our network of school counselors, community-based organizations, higher education admissions staff, and other college access professionals ● Maintaining a Google Group for school counselors to discuss FAFSA hurdles and work collaboratively to find solutions ● Advocating with both state and congressional legislators to increase funding for FAFSA completion efforts and improve accountability around this year’s delayed and rocky FAFSA launch ● Offering guidance on the effective use of the Department of Education’s FAFSA Challenge Grants ● Created a comprehensive FAFSA Action Plan to help schools and organizations strategically plan their FAFSA completion efforts. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/