Goal: Place college advisers in select high schools in Michigan to move the state closer to Sixty by 30 - 60 percent of Michigan residents earning a postsecondary certificate or degree by the year 2030.
Who:
- High schools in Michigan who are committed to raising the college-going rates for their students in support of the state’s Sixty by 30 goal.
- High schools will be prioritized who have a higher than average free and reduced lunch rate and a lower than average college-enrollment rate, either for all students or for students who will be prioritized to receive adviser support.
- Schools with fewer than 75 seniors may, but are not required to, partner with another small school to split the adviser time. A joint application should be submitted.
Timeline:
- Request for Proposals Available: October 24, 2024
- Application Deadline: December 13, 2024
- Initial High School Partnerships Announced: January 2025
- Adviser Candidate Interviews: Winter/Spring/Summer 2025
- Program Year Begins: August 4, 2025
Why college advising?
Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) mobilizes state and local leaders to increase college readiness, enrollment, and completion rates. MCAN is committed to expanding the quantity and quality of college access professionals serving in Michigan high schools.
We use the term college to refer to attainment of education beyond high school, including postsecondary certificates and academic degrees.
In Michigan, the student-to-counselor ratio exceeds 600:1, leaving high schools unable to provide intensive one-to-one college advising. High school students, especially first-generation college-going students, student from low-income background, and students of color, need support navigating the complex process of college admissions and financial aid. We believe that well-trained school counselors are the best method of ensuring students access to postsecondary education. Where school counselors are overstretched, college advisers serve as a capacity builder and a support in partnership with the high school counseling staff.
To meet this need, MCAN launched the AdviseMI, which is celebrating it's 10th Anniversary in 2024-2025.
The AdviseMI Program
AdviseMI embeds well-trained, dedicated, college advisers in high schools that serve significant numbers of low-income and first-generation college-going students. The goal of the program is to increase the number of high school students who enter and complete postsecondary education. Up to 56 advisers are placed throughout the state.
The advisers are college graduates (bachelor’s or higher) from partner colleges. After an intensive orientation and training, advisers are poised to help students navigate the complex college exploration process, retake college admissions tests, apply to colleges that are a good match/fit, complete the FAFSA, secure financial aid, and matriculate to college. These game-changing advisers serve as experts, mentors, champions, and guides to the students they serve in partnership with school counselor(s), where they exist. Advisers complete the activities on the college adviser position description and, to ensure impact, follow the College Adviser Playbook.
While advisers are able to support all seniors, they have a focus on a cohort of school-identified first-generation college-going students, student from low-income background, and students of color. Advisers also play a transformative role in their school buildings by helping foster a college-going culture and being a conduit to bring the resources of MCAN to the building. See here for a cohort development packet to help your school think about how the adviser will focus their efforts to get more students to college than would go without the intervention of a college adviser.
AdviseMI asks high school partners to commit to participating in the program for a minimum of three academic years (2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27). At the end of three years, the school will work with MCAN to assess options for continuing in the program. AdviseMI cost share is $10,000 for year 1, $12,500 for year 2, and $15,000 for year 3 and beyond. To learn more about AdviseMI, visit here.
Higher education partners
The following institutions participate as funding and recruitment partners of AdviseMI:
Adrian College Aquinas College Baker College Central Michigan University Ferris State University | Kalamazoo College Madonna University Northern Michigan University Oakland University Olivet College | Saginaw Valley State University Siena Heights University University of Michigan – Dearborn Wayne State University Western Michigan University |
Funding and administration
AdviseMI is an AmeriCorps program administered by MCAN. MCAN has secured investment commitment from these leading colleges and other funding partners to sustain the program over multiple years. By braiding together relatively small amounts of funding from multiple sources, the program does not cause a financial strain on any one organization. The total cost to MCAN of placing one adviser in a school for one program year is around $45,000. Successful applicant high schools, a local philanthropic partner, or other entity must provide an annual cash match to contribute a portion of this cost. MCAN will administer the program by employing and training the advisers, and providing program oversight and management, including through dedicated program staffing.
MCAN is the employer of record for the college adviser, and the adviser is assigned to a placement at the selected school in support of Sixty by 30. College advisers are hyper-focused on college advising, and their goal is to get more first-generation, low-income, students of color to access college; therefore, all adviser activities at the school must be in support of this goal and they are only allowed to complete activities that are on the position description. College advisers may not be used as supplemental staff to fill other gaps in school staffing structures. Advisers are not allowed to hold another paid position at the school while they are serving with AdviseMI.
High school partnership expectations
MCAN is seeking response from high school leadership (administrators and school counselors) who are committed to supporting a dedicated, full-time, college adviser in their building and raising their college-going rates through a systematic approach. Interested high schools are asked to complete this application online, commit to program expectations, and attach letters of support (described below).
High schools with fewer than 75 graduating seniors may partner with up to 1 other school to split the adviser’s time and the cost share. Applications where an adviser would be serving fewer than 50 students is not necessarily a competitive application.
By completing the application, high schools commit to participating in the program for a minimum of three academic years and providing the required cost share ($10,000 for year 1, $12,500 for year 2, and $15,000 for year 3 and beyond).
These funds can be provided by district and non-district sources, including but not limited to: a community foundation, an intermediate school district, a United Way, a family foundation, a corporation/business, a local government, or any combination. Match funding must be secured by the high school. If you need assistance locating cost share or drafting a funding request, please let MCAN know.
AdviseMI host sites are required to participate in College Bound Michigan (CBMI), a free/funded suite of events to promote college access and build college going culture, and to send a representative to the annual MCAN conference at a discounted rate.
To see full school expectations, please refer to a sample Memorandum of Understanding here.
Award process
High schools will be selected through a competitive selection process. Final decisions regarding selection will be based on the information provided in your application, the school buy-in as demonstrated by the letters of support provided, and the level of need communicated in the proposal and through available data.
MCAN offers a pre-review process for proposals submitted by November 29. High schools will receive feedback and comments on their proposal prior to formal submission through this process. Pre-reviewed proposals are not guaranteed to be selected. If you would like a pre-review, please notify Jenny at jenny@micollegeaccess.org.
About Michigan College Access Network
MCAN’s mission is to increase college readiness, participation, and completion in Michigan, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college going students, and students of color. In order to build and sustain a vibrant economy and strong communities based on an educated population, MCAN works to ensure everyone in Michigan has the opportunity to access and succeed in postsecondary education. MCAN’s goal is in alignment with the state’s Sixty by 30 attainment goal: to increase the proportion of Michigan residents with college degrees and postsecondary certificates to 60% by the year 2030. At its core, MCAN believes:
College is Postsecondary Education: MCAN uses the term “college” to refer to the attainment of valuable credentials beyond high school, defined as postsecondary certificates and academic degrees.
College is a Necessity: Postsecondary education dramatically increases an individual’s economic independence in a knowledge-based economy.
College is for Everyone: We work toward changing the systems that perpetuate inequities in postsecondary attainment.
College is a Public Good: Postsecondary attainment is critical to a just and equitable society, strong economy, thriving democracy, and healthy communities.
We seek proposals that align to its mission and values as articulated above. MCAN is a 501©3 nonprofit organization.
For more information, contact Jenny McArdle, MCAN Director of Service Strategy, at jenny@micollegeaccess.org.
AdviseMI Host Site Application 2025-2026
Goal: Place college advisers in select high schools in Michigan to move the state closer to Sixty by 30 - 60 percent of Michigan residents earning a postsecondary certificate or degree by the year 2030.
Who:
- High schools in Michigan who are committed to raising the college-going rates for their students in support of the state’s Sixty by 30 goal.
- High schools will be prioritized who have a higher than average free and reduced lunch rate and a lower than average college-enrollment rate, either for all students or for students who will be prioritized to receive adviser support.
- Schools with fewer than 75 seniors may, but are not required to, partner with another small school to split the adviser time. A joint application should be submitted.
Timeline:
- Request for Proposals Available: October 24, 2024
- Application Deadline: December 13, 2024
- Initial High School Partnerships Announced: January 2025
- Adviser Candidate Interviews: Winter/Spring/Summer 2025
- Program Year Begins: August 4, 2025
Why college advising?
Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) mobilizes state and local leaders to increase college readiness, enrollment, and completion rates. MCAN is committed to expanding the quantity and quality of college access professionals serving in Michigan high schools.
We use the term college to refer to attainment of education beyond high school, including postsecondary certificates and academic degrees.
In Michigan, the student-to-counselor ratio exceeds 600:1, leaving high schools unable to provide intensive one-to-one college advising. High school students, especially first-generation college-going students, student from low-income background, and students of color, need support navigating the complex process of college admissions and financial aid. We believe that well-trained school counselors are the best method of ensuring students access to postsecondary education. Where school counselors are overstretched, college advisers serve as a capacity builder and a support in partnership with the high school counseling staff.
To meet this need, MCAN launched the AdviseMI, which is celebrating it's 10th Anniversary in 2024-2025.
The AdviseMI Program
AdviseMI embeds well-trained, dedicated, college advisers in high schools that serve significant numbers of low-income and first-generation college-going students. The goal of the program is to increase the number of high school students who enter and complete postsecondary education. Up to 56 advisers are placed throughout the state.
The advisers are college graduates (bachelor’s or higher) from partner colleges. After an intensive orientation and training, advisers are poised to help students navigate the complex college exploration process, retake college admissions tests, apply to colleges that are a good match/fit, complete the FAFSA, secure financial aid, and matriculate to college. These game-changing advisers serve as experts, mentors, champions, and guides to the students they serve in partnership with school counselor(s), where they exist. Advisers complete the activities on the college adviser position description and, to ensure impact, follow the College Adviser Playbook.
While advisers are able to support all seniors, they have a focus on a cohort of school-identified first-generation college-going students, student from low-income background, and students of color. Advisers also play a transformative role in their school buildings by helping foster a college-going culture and being a conduit to bring the resources of MCAN to the building. See here for a cohort development packet to help your school think about how the adviser will focus their efforts to get more students to college than would go without the intervention of a college adviser.
AdviseMI asks high school partners to commit to participating in the program for a minimum of three academic years (2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27). At the end of three years, the school will work with MCAN to assess options for continuing in the program. AdviseMI cost share is $10,000 for year 1, $12,500 for year 2, and $15,000 for year 3 and beyond. To learn more about AdviseMI, visit here.
Higher education partners
The following institutions participate as funding and recruitment partners of AdviseMI:
Adrian College Aquinas College Baker College Central Michigan University Ferris State University | Kalamazoo College Madonna University Northern Michigan University Oakland University Olivet College | Saginaw Valley State University Siena Heights University University of Michigan – Dearborn Wayne State University Western Michigan University |
Funding and administration
AdviseMI is an AmeriCorps program administered by MCAN. MCAN has secured investment commitment from these leading colleges and other funding partners to sustain the program over multiple years. By braiding together relatively small amounts of funding from multiple sources, the program does not cause a financial strain on any one organization. The total cost to MCAN of placing one adviser in a school for one program year is around $45,000. Successful applicant high schools, a local philanthropic partner, or other entity must provide an annual cash match to contribute a portion of this cost. MCAN will administer the program by employing and training the advisers, and providing program oversight and management, including through dedicated program staffing.
MCAN is the employer of record for the college adviser, and the adviser is assigned to a placement at the selected school in support of Sixty by 30. College advisers are hyper-focused on college advising, and their goal is to get more first-generation, low-income, students of color to access college; therefore, all adviser activities at the school must be in support of this goal and they are only allowed to complete activities that are on the position description. College advisers may not be used as supplemental staff to fill other gaps in school staffing structures. Advisers are not allowed to hold another paid position at the school while they are serving with AdviseMI.
High school partnership expectations
MCAN is seeking response from high school leadership (administrators and school counselors) who are committed to supporting a dedicated, full-time, college adviser in their building and raising their college-going rates through a systematic approach. Interested high schools are asked to complete this application online, commit to program expectations, and attach letters of support (described below).
High schools with fewer than 75 graduating seniors may partner with up to 1 other school to split the adviser’s time and the cost share. Applications where an adviser would be serving fewer than 50 students is not necessarily a competitive application.
By completing the application, high schools commit to participating in the program for a minimum of three academic years and providing the required cost share ($10,000 for year 1, $12,500 for year 2, and $15,000 for year 3 and beyond).
These funds can be provided by district and non-district sources, including but not limited to: a community foundation, an intermediate school district, a United Way, a family foundation, a corporation/business, a local government, or any combination. Match funding must be secured by the high school. If you need assistance locating cost share or drafting a funding request, please let MCAN know.
AdviseMI host sites are required to participate in College Bound Michigan (CBMI), a free/funded suite of events to promote college access and build college going culture, and to send a representative to the annual MCAN conference at a discounted rate.
To see full school expectations, please refer to a sample Memorandum of Understanding here.
Award process
High schools will be selected through a competitive selection process. Final decisions regarding selection will be based on the information provided in your application, the school buy-in as demonstrated by the letters of support provided, and the level of need communicated in the proposal and through available data.
MCAN offers a pre-review process for proposals submitted by November 29. High schools will receive feedback and comments on their proposal prior to formal submission through this process. Pre-reviewed proposals are not guaranteed to be selected. If you would like a pre-review, please notify Jenny at jenny@micollegeaccess.org.
About Michigan College Access Network
MCAN’s mission is to increase college readiness, participation, and completion in Michigan, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college going students, and students of color. In order to build and sustain a vibrant economy and strong communities based on an educated population, MCAN works to ensure everyone in Michigan has the opportunity to access and succeed in postsecondary education. MCAN’s goal is in alignment with the state’s Sixty by 30 attainment goal: to increase the proportion of Michigan residents with college degrees and postsecondary certificates to 60% by the year 2030. At its core, MCAN believes:
College is Postsecondary Education: MCAN uses the term “college” to refer to the attainment of valuable credentials beyond high school, defined as postsecondary certificates and academic degrees.
College is a Necessity: Postsecondary education dramatically increases an individual’s economic independence in a knowledge-based economy.
College is for Everyone: We work toward changing the systems that perpetuate inequities in postsecondary attainment.
College is a Public Good: Postsecondary attainment is critical to a just and equitable society, strong economy, thriving democracy, and healthy communities.
We seek proposals that align to its mission and values as articulated above. MCAN is a 501©3 nonprofit organization.
For more information, contact Jenny McArdle, MCAN Director of Service Strategy, at jenny@micollegeaccess.org.