News Articles
News Articles
Higher Education Innovation
Universities, colleges pan ‘one-time’ 1% operational increases
July 9, 2026
Gongwer
Organizations representing the state’s public universities and community colleges were disappointed in the 1% operational increases the higher education institutions received in the 2026-27 fiscal year budget passed last week.
High School Innovation
As scores dip, Michigan law takes effect dropping essay from standardized test
July 8, 2026
Bridge Michigan
Incoming 11th graders no longer have to take the essay portion of the SAT, which advocates say will ease nerves, eliminate unnecessary testing and provide more instruction time.
Higher Education Innovation
New student loan rules take effect, changing payments and borrowing limits
July 7, 2026
WXYZ Detroit
New rules involving student loans took effect this month, changing borrowers' monthly payments and how much students can borrow in the future. The sweeping changes are part of President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" and are expected to impact millions of Americans. Student debt in the U.S. has reached nearly $1.7 trillion.
All Areas of Work
Education groups, lawmakers split on budget for upcoming year
July 3, 2026
WLNS
“Looking at how far apart the proposals were, MCAN applauds the Legislature, the governor’s office and their staff members for coming together to create a bipartisan budget that includes forward-thinking investments in our students,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN.
Higher Education Innovation
Federal student loans change July 1, experts feel Michigan better off than most
June 30, 2026
News Channel 3
A big change set in motion by Congress last year is taking effect July 1, and the landscape for those looking to get into college with financial aid and those students already paying for that aid will change.
All Areas of Work
COMMENTARY: When college access grows, Michigan communities reap the benefits
June 29, 2026
Midland Daily News
This is about more than individual economic mobility; the impact of higher education goes far beyond one person’s return on investment. A more educated workforce means better jobs, which in turn leads to stronger communities, better health outcomes, more civic engagement, and less reliance on public assistance.
All Areas of Work
Opinion | Next Michigan governor has once-in-a-generation opportunity. Will they take it?
June 25, 2026
Bridge Michigan
Michigan has made great strides in improving college affordability, but the system is still confusing and intimidating for too many students, especially first-generation college-going students, low-income students and those who don’t have experienced adults to guide them through the process. This means jobs we rely on go unfilled, because students don’t see the pathway to a nursing certificate, a trade apprenticeship, an associate degree or other degrees that give them the skills to thrive in the modern workforce.
Community Mobilization
Advertising, training fairs, free tuition: How Michigan is trying to get more men into college
June 23, 2026
Michigan Advance
About 35 percent more Michigan women than men earn a degree or certificate, according to 2024-25 state data. Nationally, more than 1.9 million women completed a credential, such as a degree or certificate, during the 2024-25 school year, compared with 1.4 million men, according to the National Student Clearinghouse.
All Areas of Work
Speaker says Whitmer overseas trade trip slows budget talks
June 17, 2026
Michigan Public
"Delays create uncertainty for the programs and partnerships that help students plan for their futures, whether through dual enrollment, college access initiatives, workforce training, or financial aid,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of Michigan College Access Network. “With state budget uncertainty comes institutional uncertainty followed by family uncertainty; fewer students enroll in college when this uncertainty persists."
Higher Education Innovation
Music, theatre among degree programs in Michigan that could lose federal loan access under new rule
June 12, 2026
Michigan Public Radio
A nearly-final federal student loan rule could prevent students from getting access to federal loans in certain college programs. Under the rule, undergraduate programs lose Federal Direct Loan access if they fail an "earnings test" — meaning their graduates, four years after graduation, make less than those with just a high school diploma in the same state on average.
Higher Education Innovation
Proposed federal rule threatens student loan access for Michigan cosmetology schools
June 10, 2026
Michigan Public Radio
“Functionally, they're trying to make sure that the degree that you're paying for and they're using student loans and federal and state aid to pay for it is actually valuable to you in the long run,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, the executive director of the Michigan College Access Network.
Higher Education Innovation
Proposed federal rule threatens student loan access for Michigan cosmetology schools
June 10, 2026
Michigan Public Radio
“Functionally, they're trying to make sure that the degree that you're paying for and they're using student loans and federal and state aid to pay for it is actually valuable to you in the long run,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, the executive director of Michigan College Access Network.
Adult Student Attainment
Michigan prison education programs draw statewide leaders as demand far outpaces availability
June 5, 2026
Spectrum News
More than 150 higher education and corrections leaders gathered at Calvin University in Grand Rapids Thursday for a statewide conference focused on expanding college programs inside Michigan prisons — an effort organizers say is transforming lives, reducing crime and saving taxpayers millions.
Higher Education Innovation
Michigan summit explores ways to expand postsecondary access and success for men
May 30, 2026
The Alpena News
The Men in Motion Summit, hosted by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), in partnership with the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) and the Detroit Parent Network (DPN), brought together organizations and partners from across Michigan to share insights, identify barriers, and explore collaborative strategies that help more men pursue education and training opportunities – particularly men of color, rural men, and adult learners ages 25 and older.
High School Innovation
Sweeping federal student loan changes prompt concerns for some Michigan borrowers
May 29, 2026
The Michigan Independent
President Donald Trump’s 2025 budget law, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is upending the federal student loan program, and new and current borrowers in Michigan could be affected. The law instructs the U.S. Department of Education to implement significant modifications to the federal student loan program, including new borrowing limits, streamlined repayment options, and a cap on loan amounts starting July 1.
Adult Student Attainment
Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison announces founding president
May 28, 2026
Soo Leader
The Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison (MiCHEP) has appointed Jeff Abernathy as the organization’s founding president. MiCHEP is a statewide consortium of Michigan colleges and universities devoted to expanding and improving higher education for incarcerated students through collaboration, shared best practices, and policy leadership. The consortium partners with the Michigan Department of Corrections to strengthen educational quality and access across prison learning sites statewide.
Higher Education Innovation
Campaign aims to engage employers in promoting Michigan’s free community college, skills training
May 28, 2026
Crain's Detroit Business
Level Up Michigan!, a nonprofit created to boost post-secondary education and skill attainment, is working to raise awareness of the state scholarships from 30% to 80% or better by fall 2027. It’s asking businesses, unions, government agencies, nonprofits and community organizations to help get the word out as part of the “Share the Good News” campaign launched Thursday afternoon at the Mackinac Policy Conference as part of a two-pronged marketing approach.
High School Innovation
Michigan college enrollment rate slips, despite $1B in state scholarships
May 23, 2026
Bridge Michigan
Michigan’s rate of sending high school graduates to college dropped in 2025, despite millions of dollars in state-funded scholarships. Only 54.6% of the Class of 2025 enrolled in college within six months, according to preliminary state data released this month. That’s down from 56.8% the previous year, which had shown a slight uptick. Ten years ago, 64.7% of high school graduates enrolled.