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Mason County College Access Network
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  • About Us
    • Goals
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    • Data Dashboard
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What Colleges and Universities Are in Michigan?

Visit MCAN for the most up-to-date information about Community Colleges, Universities and other programs from Michigan College Access Network

Click Here!

2024-25 Guide to University Admissions

Public University Admissions Info for Michigan

Download PDF

College Month 2024 Info Sessions

College Funding Basics

Sorting through grants, loans, scholarships and understanding what is available for Mason County's students...

College Basics

45 minutes about basics related to planning for, applying to, and next steps after application for college.

FAFSA Basics

How to prepare for the 2025 FAFSA and what to know in advance to help the process go smoothly.  Tips and resources!

PLANNing Resources for High School Students

Know How 2 Go

This is a great site for middle-high school students with steps to college-going. 

Go!

College Raptor--find colleges that fit!

This free site helps students sort through the many resources on college websites in one location, to help determine what college is the best financial and academic fit.

Find your Fit!

National College Access Network Timeline

Click below for printable pages for Juniors & Seniors (Español& English) semester by semester.  A simple, straightforward resource.

Click Here!

Common App--One site that allows students to apply to MANY universities & colleges

The Common App is a free tool that allows students to apply with one application to multiple colleges; HOWEVER, they will still charge the college application fee for EACH college, so it is not free overall.  Please also note that not ALL Michigan colleges and universities are included through the App.

Check It Out!

Big Future by College Board

College Planning through Xello

Big Future has great tools for college planning and preparation for students.  Students must create an account to unlock all of the free resources.

Find Out More

College Planning through Xello

College Planning through Xello

Students who attend Michigan's Public schools have free access to Xello for college and career planning.  Click below to explore

Explore Xello

Appily (Was Cappex)

Loper--College Match and Fit

Loper--College Match and Fit

Graduation Pic

Appily is a college match-and-fit app to help you determine a great school for you!  It also offers virtual tours, guidance, scholarship info, and advanced degree info from a long-trusted source.

Find out More

Loper--College Match and Fit

Loper--College Match and Fit

Loper--College Match and Fit

Child with college plans

Local high schools are using the Loper app to help their students choose a great college.  Loper's app also has features for parents and school counselors as well.  A better college match is just a download away!

Click to visit

Niche--Find YOUR Fit!

Loper--College Match and Fit

Niche--Find YOUR Fit!

Apple on book

Niche provides insights to the "Best Colleges in America," that include data-based info for college fit, rankings according to the US Department of Ed, sports profiles, and even specific interest (i.e., "party schools") to fit individual students.  

Check out Niche

2024-25 Guide to University Admissions

Private University Admissions Info for Michigan

Download PDF

Experience Mason County College Access Network: A Visual Journey Through Education

Early College planning

Middle School/Junior High

6-8 Grade

Practice Academic Skills

Middle school is a great time to strengthen academic skills and start thinking college.  Here's a checklist from federal financial aid: https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college/checklists/middle-school

Consider Careers & Do an Interest Inventory

Encourage your younger student to look at career options through Xello, and discuss what they are learning.  Here are activities for elementary and middle schools students and families: https://xello.world/wp-content/uploads/Career-Explorations-EBook-Final-Version.pdf 

Look at Local Early College Opportunities

Mason County 8th grade students tour CTE facililities at West Shore Community College and can learn about ASM Tech an early college program with year 13 is a good fit. Visit: https://www.wsesd.org/page/program-overview

Decide on Dual Enrollment

If a student is self-directed in middle school, or has a concrete career interest that will require college, planning to take dual enrollment through West Shore Community College would be a great idea.  It takes careful coordination to ensure that high school requirements are also met, so planning prior to or in 9th grade is a good idea. https://www.westshore.edu/high-school-students/dual-enrollment/

What is a Post-Secondary Pathway?

Basically, it's a path to a degree that has "stackable credentials," or educational steps that people can take to earn more while they learn. Pathways can be work-based and/or school-based.  Click on the blue button below to take a look at how pathways from high school all the way through an advanced college degree. 

Find out more

West Shore Community College serves Mason County. Check out their Career Coach Tool Here!

Visit Free Career Coach Assessment (No Login Required)

PDF Viewer

Download PDF

non-traditional Post-secondary pathways (work-based)

Michigan-based Apprenticeships

Want to know how to become a boilermaker, lineman, iron worker, bricklayer, and more?  Apprenticeships are the "other 4-Year degree" and they are available here: https://miroad2work.org/michigan-apprenticeships/outside-lineman/  For local apprenticeships, visit: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/finder/active-program/listings?searchType=active-programs&search=&location=49431

Michigan Works Support for Training and Post-Secondary Education

Michigan Works West Central hosts several programs available to Mason County residents who are looking for job training or retraining leading to a credential.  Whether a youth or an adult, there may be a program for you, like Jobs for Michigan Graduates, WIOA, MiLEAP and more!  Visit your local Michigan Works office at the Lakeshore Resource Network in Ludington, or online: https://www.mwwc.org/

Your Career Here!

Pennies from Heaven Foundation videos link you to local career opportunities (Mason County and surrounding areas) and information about related credentials:  PFH Playlist: Your Career Here Playlist by Pennies from Heaven 

Discover Manufacturing

Designed for High School students to explore West Michigan Manufacturing Careers virtually, this series of videos filmed in 2020 features FloraCraft from Mason County, and many other more regional employers, who explain the culture, career options, and opportunities offered by their companies. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2x7GUZj3KuEGge20-XSUnaaleE7XqvhI

Roadmap to Opportunity

Great short videos and infosheets on Michigan HotJob careers in Electrical Technology, Physicial Therapy Assistant, Dental Hygiene, Carpentry, and more!  https://roadmap2opportunity.org/ 

Shoprat Foundation

This foundation focuses on connecting youth to certifications, apprenticeships and careers in the trades, including engineering tech, welding, construction, and precision machining.   https://www.shoprat.org/

Going PRO in Michigan

Going Pro is based on the idea that it shouldn't take a lifetime to learn before you start to earn! Careers in Health, IT, Automotive, Manufacturing and Construction are the focus of this great resource.  https://www.going-pro.com/

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Young people should not have to travel far to prepare for a career, and with CTE, they don't even have to leave Mason County.  Check out the videos that relate to careers in which CTE can get high school students on a path to a career credential even before they graduate!  https://www.wsesd.org/page/career-and-technical-education

Michigan EDC Skilled Trades

Michigan's Economic Development Corporation is focused on developing Michigan's workforce for the benefit of those who live and work in Michigan.  Check out their YouTube channel's playlist related to skilled trades--You'll be surprised at the diversity of offerings.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsufrF4K_7o&list=PLnd4jjRa4RAbB5Wfc2PE516ChjiiRi22X 

Michigan Training Connect

College is one way, but not the only way to a credentialed career. Post-secondary credentials include traditional degrees and certifications through colleges and non-traditional training and credentialing through employers.  Michigan Works Training Connect is a great way to find resources to build your career post-secondary pathway through non-traditional means.   https://www.mitalent.org/mitc 

Public State Universities in MIchigan

Ferris State University

Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University

www.ferris.edu

Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University

www.gvsu.edu

Central Michigan University

Grand Valley State University

Central Michigan University

www.cmich.edu

Western Michigan University

Central Michigan University

www.wmich.edu

Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University

www.svsu.edu

Michigan State University

Saginaw Valley State University

https://msu.edu/

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Dearborn & Flint)

https://umich.edu/  https://www.umflint.edu/

https://umdearborn.edu/


Eastern Michigan University

https://www.emich.edu/

Wayne State University

Northern Michigan University

https://wayne.edu/

Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University

https://nmu.edu/

Michigan Technological Unviersity

Michigan Technological Unviersity

www.mtu.edu

Oakland University

Michigan Technological Unviersity

https://oakland.edu/

More College & University Links

Links to Public Community Colleges in MichiganLinks to Private & Independent Colleges in MichiganUS Department of Education Net Price CalculatorClick & Type "Michigan" Here in the Search Box to See a List of Accredited Colleges, Universities, & Schools in MI

Local professional interviews from "Leading West Michigan"

Executive Director

Executive Director & Retired Superintendent

Executive Director & Retired Superintendent

Karalee Bradshaw, Master's Degree

Executive Director & Retired Superintendent

Executive Director & Retired Superintendent

Executive Director & Retired Superintendent

Andrea Large, Master's Degree 

Credit Union CEO

Executive Director & Retired Superintendent

Credit Union CEO

Adam Johson, MBA

LOCAL CAREER PLANNING VIDEO RESOURCES from Pennies From Heav

Metalworks/Fablite

Spindrift Cyclesports

Spindrift Cyclesports

Spindrift Cyclesports

Spindrift Cyclesports

Spindrift Cyclesports

Superior Exteriors

Spindrift Cyclesports

Superior Exteriors

Video

2024 College Positive Lunch & Learn

Session 1: Hot Jobs recording

2024 College Positive Lunch & Learn:

Session 2: Understanding Financial Aid

2024 College Positive Lunch & Learn

Session 3:  Career Exploration Recording


Copyright © 2025 Mason County College Access Network - All Rights Reserved.

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Michigan College Scholarships!

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