Award supports college access, persistence and completion efforts in Southeast Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has received a $40,000 grant from the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The grant will support college access, persistence, and completion efforts for students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. This is the third grant that MCAN has received from the FCA Foundation.
“Students of color, first-generation college-going students and low-income students are disproportionately locked out of higher education across the state, and Detroit is no exception,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN. “We’re thankful for partners like the FCA Foundation for investing in this community and helping to improve student outcomes in Southeast Michigan. Helping Detroit students achieve a postsecondary education is a key part of meeting our statewide goal of a 60% attainment rate by 2030.”
The funds provided by this grant will be used to increase FAFSA and Tuition Incentive Program completion and participation in other financial aid programs; support college transition advisors in high schools and college coaches in community colleges; and support partner organizations Detroit College Access Network and Michigan Promise Zones Association, who also work within the city.
“As Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ We (FCA Foundation) believe that by partnering with MCAN, we can equip students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District with the knowledge, skills and will to make the world a better place, not just for themselves, but for generations yet to come,” said Christine Estereicher, Director, State Relations, Civic Engagement and External Affairs – FCA and Global Chief Operating Officer – FCA Foundation.
MCAN is a public-private partnership. State appropriation funds provide a foundation for MCAN’s budget, which is then leveraged to generate support from private organizations. Together, these funds ensure the state is making progress toward having an educated workforce for the future.
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ABOUT THE MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (MCAN)
As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN works to improve the futures of Michigan’s students and communities by making college accessible to all. MCAN’s work centers on one main goal: To increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030. MCAN engages partners statewide who are committed to systems-level change and the reduction of barriers to increase college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. MCAN has helped Michigan’s postsecondary attainment rate increase for the 10th consecutive year. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.
