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