Plan for Life After High School
Answer questions about location, price, majors, and more to narrow down a list of ideal colleges to apply to. Quizzes, college search, scholarship help, and many checklists are available to students who create a free MyBigFuture account in their junior or senior year.
A Senior Year Essential
Most students attending a public high school will establish an MiSSg account in their senior year. This helps connect students to planning resources for Michigan based colleges and state aid. Students should be sure to use a personal (non-school) email when applying, and will need their SSN.
The state has a page to help you find applications to all of the colleges and universities in Michigan! With nearly 100 institutions across the state, there are many location options and great programs to choose from! All of the institutions listed on this page are accredited and accepts federal and state financial aid.
New for class of 2027, MiCollege Match uses one application process to allow students in Michigan high schools to connect with many colleges across the state! This program is free to high school students in Michigan and can save both time and application money (all colleges and universities participating in the program guarantee free applications for users!
Common App can help future students plan, apply, and even find resources to pay for college. Most students who use it do so because it allows you to apply to multiple instituions at once. Please note there is a deadline for applicants to submit their information, and though using the Common App is free, individual application fees may apply for each college you apply to.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the gateway to most financial aid for college from local scholarships, to state aid, to federal Pell grant. Students must complete the FAFSA each year. Students under age 24 are considered "dependent" (except with legally established independence) and must include tax information from both student and parent(s) from the previous year (ex: 2026-27 FAFSA require 2024 tax information).
FAFSA applications open on October 1st each year, and stay open until June 30th of the folowing year. It takes about 15 minutes to complete in most cases, and enables students to learn if they're eligible for grants and loans from the federal government.
FAFSA canconnect you with the following aid: Student Loans (must repay), Federal Grants (no repayment) & Work Study on-campus jobs (if you say YES on the FAFSA for this option).
The state has many resources to support adults starting and returning to college. Many are program/major specific. The State of Michigan offers a variety of scholarships and grants that you may be eligible for.
If you are a parent of college-age children, you may also find information about programs for youth attending college directly after high school here, as well.
The Community College Guarantee covers full-time in-district tuiton for students who graduate and start college w/in 15 months. There is also a $1000 bonus for students who are Pell-eligible.
Michigan Achievement assists with up to $5500 a year for full-time university students who start college within 15 months of graduation.
TIP--The tuition Incentive Program covers up to 80 credits of associate degree program tuition for qualified students.
Many other scholarships and grants are available through the state!
The Promise is a residency-based scholarship that pays for up to 72 credits of tuition & fees for Mason County high school graduates (since 2018) who wish to attend West Shore Community College, part-time or full-time. The WSCC Promise scholarship is available for up to 6 years after graduation.
New for 2027 high school students, the Mason County Promise offers two scholarship paths:
The Community Scholarship at WSCC, which offers up to 72 credits of coverage, educational supplies, and a new transfer award.
The Statewide Scholarship, a one-time, first-year award for qualified resident graduates who attend other Michigan-based insitutions that accept federal student aid. Must start within 15 months of graduation.
Deadlines apply.
The Community Foundation offers a range of competitive scholarships each year for high school seniors, transfer students, and adults starting college.
Up to $200,000 has been distrbuted to recipients each year. Students must apply and meet application qualification.
The Ludington Oriole Foundation also uses the Community Foundation application for their scholarship processes.
Applications available Nov. 1-May 12
WSCC offers 88 scholarships to accepted and current students each year. Some are need based and require the FAFSA, others may be based on merit or another special qualifier. Applications are typically open from January-April for the next academic year.
Here are many known local resources for scholarships and tuition reimbursement (for employees or their dependents):
Michigan Works often has funding for short-term training programs for youth.
Visiting your local Michigan Works Office at 920 E. Tinkham in Ludington to connect with the youth services coordinator is one of the best ways to learn what programs and funding may be available.
Apprenticeships through unions or other employers are usually free and may even allow you to earn as you learn. Apprenticeships are highly competitive and are offered in a range of careers.
If considering an apprenticeship, make sure its recognised by the state Labor & Economic Opportuntiy office.
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