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.
Keep your GPA up and be involved in extracurriculars and volunteer opportunities! These look great on applications - both for college and scholarships.
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.
Make your College List. Look at schools that have good programs that you are interested in with hands-on opportunities to gain experience.
Attend college visits - whether through TRIO, on your own, or college reps that come to Alcona. ASK QUESTIONS!
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.
Look at scholarships available at each school you applied to. Apply for any you are eligible for.
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.
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.
April/May/June - Accept the offer that best fits your career , financial needs, and goals. Make your housing deposits and register for freshman orientation.
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.
You can apply to colleges individually by going to the website or you can fill out the Common Application or Scoir by using the websites on the left. Many schools in Michigan use the Common App and/or Scoir. For those that do not wish to use these platforms, visit the school's website and fill out the application.
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.
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. This site is not as friendly for some trades programs.
You can find colleges and trade programs here by searching for the occupation of your choice. Type it in under "Map your Future". Choose the option that best fits. Scroll down to "Choose your next step" and select "schools". This will generate a list of trade schools, colleges, and training centers where you can pursue education for your program of choice.
Central Michigan University
Representative: Meri KolemainenEmail: kolem2ml@cmich.eduPhone: 989-774-3076Eastern Michigan University
Rep: Email: Phone: 734-487-2080Ferris State University
Representative: Lilly Franklin Email: LillyFranklin@ferris.edu Phone: (231) 591 - 2049Grand Valley State University
Representative: Amanda Krebs Email: krebsam@gvsu.eduPhone: 616-331-3354Lake Superior State University
Representative: Connor Tetzlaff Email: ctetzlaff1@lssu.eduPhone: (906) 635-2672Michigan State University
Representative: Tania KurzawaEmail: kurzawa@msu.edu Phone:906-360-2196Michigan Tech University
Representative: Jennifer Todd Email: jltodd@mtu.edu Phone: 906-379-4546 (text or call)Northern Michigan University
Representative: Alex LasherEmail: alasher@nmu.eduPhone: 906-235-7421Oakland University
Representative: Email: visit@oakland.eduSaginaw Valley State University
Representative: Amanda EashEmail: aneash@svsu.eduPhone: 989-267-1039University of Michigan
Representative: Dayle MathenyEmail: damathen@umich.edu Phone: 734-763-0908University of Michigan - Dearborn
Representative: Email:Phone:University of Michigan - Flint, MI
Representative: Kay-lee FullerEmail: kayleefu@umich.edu Phone: 810-762-3038Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MIRepresentative: Kara MorinEmail: kara.morin@wmich.edu Phone: (269) 387-2000Wayne State University
Detroit, MIRepresentative: Elizbeth Wawro Email: ewawro@wayne.edu Phone: 313.577.2577Baker College
Representative: Chad Bannan Email: chad.bannan@baker.edu Phone: 989.666.4245Alma College
Representative: Andi GascoEmail: gascoaj@alma.edu Phone: 989-463-7298Andrews University
Representative: Shelly Erhard Email: shelly@andrews.edu Phone: 269-313-3950Calvin College
Representative: David Wynbeek Email: jdw37@calvin.eduPhone: (616) 526-7346Cleary University
Representative: Megan RauchEmail: mrauch@cleary.eduPhone: 517-586-3007College for Creative Studies
Representative: Patti SpencerEmail: pspencer@collegeforcreativestudies.edu Phone: 313-495-3144Finlandia University
E-mail: admissions@finlandia.eduPhone: (906) 487-7263Grace Christian University
Representative: Hilary VeghPhone: (616) 261-8554E-mail: hvegh@gracechristian.eduHope College
Representative: David Brady Email: bradyd@hope.edu Phone: 616.395.7581Kettering University
Representative: Stephanie GrahamEmail: sgraham@kettering.eduPhone 810-762-7959Lawrence Tech University
Representative: Ariyana Debro Email: adebro@ltu.edu Phone: 248.204.3167Text: 248-450-0116Northwood University
Representative: Chase TolandEmail: tolandc@northwood.edu Phone: 989-573-0384University of Detroit Mercy
Office of Admissionsadmissions@udmercy.edu313-993-1245Walsh College
Office of Admissions Email: admissions@walshcollege.eduPhone: 248-823-1600Alpena
Representative: Mike Kollien Email: kollienm@alpenacc.edu Phone: (989) 358-7339Lincoln Tech
Programs: automotive, skilled trades, health sciences, culinary, spa & cosmetology, information technologyIndustrial Arts Institute
Onaway, MI20902 Washington St, Onaway, MI 49765 (989) 733-4369 Industrial Welding TrainingU.S. Naval Academy Annapolis, MD
As the undergraduate college of our country’s naval service, the Naval Academy prepares young men and women to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Naval Academy students are midshipmen on active duty in the U.S. Navy.U.S. Military Academy West Point, NY
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point's mission is "to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army."Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NY
We are a federal service academy that educates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.Home MS/HS Resources College/Trade School Information Military Service Jobs and Apprenticeships
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