Tuition Funding Resources (Scholarships and Grants)
Scholarship for Mason County Residents
Mason County Promise
The Promise is a residency-based scholarship that pays for tuition & fees for Mason County high school graduates (since 2018) who wish to attend West Shore Community College.
Michigan Achievement/Community College Guarantee
In-district community college tuition is supported through the new Michigan Community College Guarantee/Achievement Scholarship for students in fall 2024 and after. In addition, funding is available for Michigan 4-year colleges and training programs.
Free College Opportunities before High School Graduation
Starting to earn college credits in Michigan can begin in high school. In Mason County, students can take college credit bearing courses, as early as 10th grade, for free! Check out information about Dual Enrollment (taking up to 10 college credits a year in high school), Career & Technical Education (CTE--career training, with some college credit opportunities in 11th & 12th grades), and ASM Tech Early College (a 13th-year simultaneous college and high school program) that take place through West Shore Community College, and about AP course credits (by taking a class and passing an exam) that are available at some local high schools, by clicking "Find Out More."
Michigan ReConnect
Michigan ReConnect currently offers paid in-district tuition for Michigan residents who are 21 and older, at their local community college, if they don't have a college degree.
Michigan Student Aid
Michigan Student Aid is the home for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, TIP, Michigan Competitive Scholarship and more. Students must apply in their senior year. Click the button below to access the website and get started on your student portal! Deadline is March 1st.
Community Foundation for Mason County
The Community Foundation for Mason County has a range of scholarships available for Mason County high school students, with a February 1st deadline.
Michigan Universities with Free Tuition for Low-Income Scholars
Many Michigan insitutions of higher education offer a free-tuition pathway for scholars who have limited family incomes. This links to a 2023 Detroit Free Press article with key information related to these programs. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/03/15/how-to-access-free-tuition-at-michigan-colleges/70008347007/
Department of Labor Scholarship Database
Federal Student Aid endorses the U.S. Department of Labor's Scholarship search. It's a great resource!
Fastweb Scholarship news
Fastweb is a reliable resource for scholarships and is always releasing new information!
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
College Board, makers of the SAT, want you to sign on for their scholarship program, so you have a chance to win scholarship dollars, simply by doing the things you already need to in order to be college-ready.
Peterson's Scholarship Search Database
Results for scholarships related to "Michigan" are here. Remember that you should never have to pay for scholarship information.
Support for going to college
Michigan ReConnect Is open for Applications!
Michigan ReConnect is a program to help students age 21 and older pursue their first degree at a local community college tuition-free. Student must apply for the FAFSA and apply to Reconnect. You can get more information and apply here: https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect/COLLEGE VIRTUAL SESSIONS FOR ADMISSIONS, SCHOLARSHIP, & FINANCIAL AID
FAFSA for 2024-25 is open!
FAFSA is good news, because it means college financial aid opportunities for high school seniors, returning college students, and adults who are planning to head to college or post-secondary education. The FAFSA for the 2024-25 year is being revised to be quicker and easier. FAFSA.gov is where families can apply--completing the FAFSA prior to May 1st is best! Dependent students (most common) will need parental support to complete the FAFSA and renew each year. To learn how FAFSA defines dependent students or to access tutorials or support, you can use resources at FAFSA.gov, Federal Financial Aid's youtube channel, or go to Michigan's MiStudentAid website.
Career research
Michigan's Career Pathfinder
You have a lot of great ideas! Use the career pathfinder to identify how to turn your ideas into action that leads to a career!
Michigan Talent Connect
Talent Connect is a premier site to conduct a local, regional or statewide job search that meets your specifications.
Indeed Job Search
Learn about jobs and careers, their education requirements, and pay, anywhere in the US through Indeed.
Department of Labor Job Outlook Database
Learn about careers that exist now and in the future, along with related information from the DoL.
Career OneStop
Whether doing your very first career research or changing a career in mid-life, Career OneStop is a wonderful place to start.
Get Started Today!
If you're brand new to FAFSA, you can create an FSA ID today, so that you're ready to get started on your FAFSA when it launches (must wait at least 3 days after creating and FSA ID). If you're returning to or renewing your FAFSA, you can participate in Beta Testing prior to Dec. 1 or after Dec. 1, complete the actual form. The Department of Education plans to have the form available no later than Dec. 1, 2024 for the 2025-26 year.