This seems like a simple question, but things have changed from the previous generation to now. College has become a much more general term. It no longer means only going to a 4-year program. Many of the trades that used to have a specific trade school are now programs that are taken through community colleges. There are very few trade-specific schools left. (Some of the local ones are at the bottom of this page.) So is you want to go to culinary or diesel mechanic school, for example, your most cost-effective avenue to get your certificate or associates degree in that field is probably through a community college, where there is much more state funding available. So don't be scared off by the term "college"! If you prefer to go right into the workforce and do an apprenticeship, check out that page on this site. More are being added as I receive the details. 

1. Keep your GPA up and be involved in extracurriculars and volunteer opportunities! These look great on applications - both for college and scholarships.

2. Study for and take the SAT in the spring of your junior year. Although many colleges are test-optional, some require your score for scholarships.

3. Make your College List. Look at schools that have good programs that you are interested in with hands-on opportunities to gain experience.

4. Attend college visits - whether through TRIO, on your own, or college reps that come to Alcona. ASK QUESTIONS!

5. October of your senior year is a GREAT time to apply for college. Many application fees are waived for part or all of October. Each Michigan school is linked below and organized by public, private, community, and then followed by specific trade schools and the US Military Academies.

6. Look at scholarships available at each school you applied to. Apply for any you are eligible for. 

7. Fill out the FAFSA. See the link to the FAFSA help page below. The FAFSA helps determine what financial aid you qualify for (federal, state, school-specific) based on income. In the 23-24 school year, the FAFSA will be released in December. We will host a FAFSA night to help answers questions. 

8. AFTER the FAFSA is done, you will receive award letters from schools you've been accepted to - this is your financial aid package. It tells you how much money you will get through grants, scholarships, and loans to help pay for school. You should receive one from EACH school you are accepted to. These award letters might be available electronically on your college account they created for you. 

9. April/May/June - Accept the offer that best fits your career , financial needs, and goals. Make your housing deposits and register for freshman orientation. 

10. In May at your senior checkout with Mrs. VK, you will schedule to send final transcripts from Alcona and ACC to your school of choice. 

Bullet points:

• Allows students to pursue one or more certifications or an associates degree at the community college level, or a combination thereof.

• Can be used for 3 years within a 5 year period of time.

• Must be a fulltime student (12 credits). 

• Student must be enrolled in a program within 15 months of graduating. 

• CCG covers in-district tuition prices, not the out of district rate, so there will be a gap to fill. However, Pell, TIP funding, or outside scholarships could reduce or eliminate this gap;  if none of those offered to the student then work-study wages and student loan funding is an option to help cover out-of-district up-charges).

•  If a student earns an Associates degree through early college, they can STILL use CCG to pursue another associates or certification(s).  

• See the state website for more information.

You can find what colleges have your desired program of interest: automotive, business, etc. Login to College Board and use the BigFuture dashboard. Click on "Plan for College" at the top. Select "College Search" and answer a few questions. One of them will be what program you want to study.