MSFAA Connection

Greetings, I am Janette Schocke from Mott Community College, serving as your 2-Year Sector Representative. Two-year public community colleges make up the 2-year Sector. My objective as your representative is to gather your opinions and concerns to bring to the MSFAA Board. MSFAA is the group to connect with other administrators of aid. We can collaborate as a community to find solutions to issues that many of us are facing. But before we can accomplish that, we must hear from you. It is highly recommended that you join and participate in our conversation at the upcoming 2-Year Sector quarterly meeting. The next meeting is April 17^th.  Please send me an email if you haven’t received an invitation - janette.schocke@mcc.edu.

I look forward to seeing and hearing from you!

There are 15 Public 4-Year Universities in Michigan: Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan State University, Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan University, Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University, University of Michigan, University of Michigan Dearborn, University of Michigan Flint, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University. We are collectively represented by the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU). All 15 Universities have active membership with MSFAA and our current MSFAA President works for a Public University.

All 15 of the Universities recently signed on to the College Cost Transparency Initiative. Signing the Initiative shows a continued commitment to college affordability to the over 255,000 students who attend Michigan’s public universities.

As you can relate, the aid offices within the Universities are busy right now helping students understand financial aid for the 2024-25 school year. Here are some highlights of what is happening across the Universities.

Central Michigan University - Why Should All Students Complete the FAFSA?

Eastern Michigan University - Changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA

Ferris State University - 2024-2025 FAFSA

Grand Valley State University - Preparing for 2024-2025 Financial Aid

Lake Superior State University - 2024-2025 FAFSA Coming December 2023

Michigan State University - A Simpler 2024-25 FAFSA

Michigan Tech - 2024-2025 FAFSA Changes

Northern Michigan University - 2024-2025 FAFSA Simplification

Oakland University - FAFSA - Big Changes Coming

Saginaw Valley State University - FAFSA 2024-25 Simplification

University of Michigan - 24/25 FAFSA - 2024-2025 FAFSA Changes

University of Michigan Dearborn - FAFSA Simplification

University of Michigan Flint - 24/25 FAFSA

Wayne State University - File the 2024-25 FAFSA

Western Michigan University - Apply for Financial Aid

If you haven’t attended a meeting, consider joining us for important 4-Year public updates and the opportunity for discussion and collaboration as we approach 2024-2025. 

Are you hosting a FAFSA Completion Workshop that is open to the public?  Email Joilyn Stephenson at joistep@umich.edu and Felicia Pelto at peltof@michigan.gov.  Get the most out of your event through promotion on the up and coming EAMO website.

In recognition of Black History Month, the MSFAA DE&I Committee would like to take this opportunity to celebrate and honor Black History Month. Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all black people from all periods of U.S history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17^th century to African Americans today. Black history month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities that are an ever-lasting part of our country’s story and history.

The story of Black History Month begins with Carter G. Woodson, the “father of Black history” who first set out in 1926 to designate a time to promote and educate people about Black history and black culture.  Woodson envisioned a weeklong celebration to encourage the coordinated teachings of Black history in public schools. He designated the second week of February as Negro History Week and galvanized historians through the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).

The idea eventually grew in acceptance, and by the late 1960s, Negro History Week had evolved into what is now known as Black History Month. Protest around racial injustices, inequality, and anti -imperialism that were occurring in many parts of the U.S. were pivotal to the change.

Fifty years after the first celebrations, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month during the country’s 1976 bicentennial. Ford called upon Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history”.

Source: NPR https://wskg.org/npr-news/2022-02-01/heres-the-story-behind-black-history-month-and-why-its-celebrated-in-february

Here are a few notable “First Black Achievers” in Higher Education in the state of Michigan.

Michigan State University

• Ø  1948 David W. Dickson first black faculty member appointed
• Ø  1970 Clifton Wharton first black President
• Ø  1995 Merritt Norvell was appointed the first African American athletics director in the Big Ten

University of Michigan

• Ø  1870 Gabriel Hargo first black graduate of University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Law School. He was only the second African American in the nation to earn a law degree; the first was George Lewis Ruffin, who graduated from Harvard Law in 1869.
• Ø  1885 Sophia Bethena Jones, MD first black woman to graduate from University of Michigan Medical School
• Ø  1953 Albert Wheeler first black tenured professor

MSFAA is providing an opportunity to receive two NASFAA credentials for MSFAA and non-MSFAA members.  On March 15, 2024, join MSFAA in preparing for TEACH Grant and Satisfactory Academic Progress credentials in one of 2 locations:

Kirkland Community College 

4800 W 4 Mile Rd, Grayling, MI 49738

Henry Ford Community College

5101 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI 48128

Cost: $75 for MSFAA members and $90 for non-members. 

Attendance includes training and preparation for each credential test, a study guide and the test access.  Lunch will also be provided. 

Yet another great networking opportunity and benefit of your MSFAA connection!

Support Fostering Futures at the 2024 MSFAA Conference

It is that time! Get your office mates, sector colleagues, and your friends together and create a basket for the silent auction for our annual MSFAA Conference in May. The best 2 baskets will the highest bids will win $$$!!!  All donations go to benefit our charity, Fostering Futures. Let’s make this year AMAZING!

Fostering Futures Silent Auction: For the past years, MSFAA has sponsored the Fostering Futures Scholarship program where we have raised nearly $50,000 to make foster youth dreams come true. This State of Michigan scholarship program provides financial assistance for tuition and fees, books and supplies, & room and board to foster care students. Many of these recipients are first generation college students who could not achieve their dream of a higher education without our generosity and support. During this new year, let’s continue to make “Dreams Come True” by donating items to the Fostering Futures Silent Auction. Don't forget your baskets!