Category: Financial Aid

Free and reduced tuition opportunities at SC4

St. Clair County Community College tuition is a fraction of the cost of four-year institutions and a smart step in earning college credits toward a degree or transfer. Still, we understand concerns about paying for college. That’s why we wanted to make sure you’re aware of all the ways you may be able to attend SC4 for free or at a reduced rate. 

For most of the following programs and options, students will need to complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov for consideration. SC4’s FAFSA Federal School Code is 002310.

  • Scholarships – SC4 awarded nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in scholarships to students in 2021-22.
  • Dual enrollment – Dual enrollment allows students to begin taking free dual enrollment classes in the 9th grade and continue to take up to 10 dual enrollment courses overall in grades 9-12.
  • Middle colleges – High school students can earn free college credits through Blue Water Middle College (BWMC) and Career and Technical Middle College (CTMC). Students begin their junior year and remain connected to their home high schools—with full participation in all high school sports, band, graduation ceremonies, etc. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree at no cost through one additional year of study.
  • Michigan Achievement Scholarship – Beginning with the high school Class of 2023, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship is available to students in the 2023-24 school year.
  • Michigan Reconnect Scholarship – Michigan Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for students 25 and older to attend their in-district community college and offers a large tuition discount if students attend an out-of-district community college.
  • Fostering Futures Scholarship – The Fostering Futures Scholarship provides scholarships to students who have experienced foster care in Michigan on or after age 13. Students must also demonstrate financial need to qualify.
  • Tuition Incentive Program – The Tuition Incentive Program encourages students to complete high school by providing college tuition assistance after graduation. Eligible students are those who have or have had Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-month period as identified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
  • Federal Pell and other grants (under “Grants” at link)- The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant program awarded to low and middle-income undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s or professional degree and are enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. The award range is set by the federal government each academic year and currently ranges from $672-$6,495. More grants are listed at sc4.edu/admissions/financial-aid/types-of-aid/ as well.   

Additional assistance may be provided through Veterans services, employer programs, external scholarships, loans and payment plans, work-study opportunities.

Visit sc4.edu/financialaid for more information. Contact our financial aid experts—who are committed to helping students navigate processes and find the best methods of aid, payment plans and more—at financialaid@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5530 with questions

Fall 2023 registration now open

Registration for fall semester is now underway at St. Clair County Community College. Fall semester courses—which are offered online and on-campus— begin Aug. 21.

Students interested in earning affordable credits toward a degree or transfer pathway, as well as those community members interested in learning more about a particular topic or passion, can now enroll to secure their classes.

“SC4 can help you get there—regardless of where you’re headed,” said Jessica Brown, vice president of DEI and Admissions. “SC4 alumni are engineers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, welders, scientists, public safety officers, designers, managers, entrepreneurs and much more. SC4 credits transfer easily and are a fraction of the cost compared to four-year institutions. Plus, we offer a wide array of support services and exciting campus life experiences.”

A full list of courses and sections is available at sc4.edu/schedule, and new students can learn how to apply and register at sc4.edu/admissions/. Current students can register via the SC4 Portal at portal.sc4.edu.

Dual enrollment and early/middle college options are available for current high school students to earn college credits at no cost. However, if cost is still a factor for other types of students, SC4 financial aid experts stand ready to assist.

“Our goal is to help students understand what support is out there so they can focus on what matters most—their classes,” said Jo Cassar, SC4 executive director of Financial Assistance and Veteran Services. “Most of our students receive financial aid, through a combination of federal, state and private funding sources, grants and scholarships. There’s potential support out there, but you’ll never get it unless you fill out a FAFSA and apply.”

New this year is the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which provides eligible high school graduates (starting with the Class of 2023) with up to $2,750 if they attend a community college, per year. Additionally, Michigan Reconnect pays for qualifying students who are 25 years old and older to attend SC4 tuition-free.

For more information about applying to SC4 and registering for courses, contact the SC4 Admissions team at (810) 989-5571 or starthere@sc4.edu. For more information about financial aid and scholarships, send an email to financialaid@sc4.edu or call (810) 989-5530 with questions.

Scholarships available for SC4 students

St. Clair County Community College is accepting scholarship applications from students who plan to attend SC4 for the 2023-24 academic year.

SC4 has many scholarship opportunities available. Some are geared toward students who plan to study a specific subject, while others are intended for students from a particular town or high school. There are also a number of awards open to students based on academic performance and extracurricular activities.

“Whatever your background, there’s likely a scholarship that you are qualified to apply for,” said Executive Director of Financial Assistance and Veteran Services Josephine Cassar.

Visit sc4.edu/money to apply for available scholarships (after applying to SC4), including SC4 scholarships and scholarships through external sources. Apply for multiple scholarships by filling out just one online application. Many scholarships require a completed FAFSA, which can be submitted at fafsa.gov.

SC4, the SC4 Foundation, community groups and private donors offer numerous scholarships to fit nearly all student academic records, backgrounds and financial situations.

The priority deadline to apply for scholarships is Sunday, March 12.

For details, call the Financial Aid Office at (810) 989-5530 or email financialaid@sc4.edu.

Gov. Whitmer Launches Website to Help Students Apply for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Save Thousands

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer launched a new webpage to help the graduating class of 2023 apply for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and lower their cost of college by thousands of dollars a year. Students should talk to their parents or guardian, gather documents, and fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible to save up to $8,250 over three years as they earn their associate degree at a community college, up to $20,000 over five years at a private college, or up to $27,500 over five years at a public university. 

“For too long, high costs have been a barrier to higher education,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am so excited that we worked across the aisle to establish the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, lowering the cost of college by thousands of dollars a year for the vast majority of graduating seniors, starting with the class of 2023. All students need to do to get their Michigan Achievement Scholarship is fill out their FAFSA. I encourage every student going to community college, private college, or a public university in Michigan to speak with their parents or guardian, get their documents together, and fill out their FAFSA to save thousands of dollars.” 

“The Michigan Achievement Scholarship will make additional education possible for the majority of Michigan’s new college students after they earn their high school diploma or equivalency,” said Sarah Szurpicki, director of the Office of Sixty by 30. “This scholarship is game-changing for Michigan families. Creating more pathways to education beyond high school means creating more pathways for Michigan students, families, and businesses to succeed.” 

Michigan Achievement Scholarship  

To make college more affordable for families, grow Michigan’s talent pool, and get the state closer to achieving its Sixty by 30 goal, the governor signed bipartisan legislation creating the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. This legislation builds on Governor Whitmer’s promise in 2019 to pass Michigan Reconnect and Michigan Opportunity Scholarships to reach the state’s Sixty by 30 goal of 60% of adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.  

Starting with the class of 2023, graduates are eligible for annual scholarships up to:    

·         $2,750 at a community college 

·         $4,000 at a private college or university  

·         $5,500 at a public university  

The scholarships are renewable for up to 3 years at a community college and up to 5 years at a private college or public university, totaling up to: 

·         $8,250 at community college 

·         $20,000 at a private college or university 

·         $27,500 at a public university 

Students will be eligible if their family demonstrates financial need when they complete the FAFSA. The Michigan Achievement Scholarship will cover:    

·         94% of students attending community colleges     

·         79% of students attending a private college or university     

·         76% of students attending a public university    

“The Michigan Achievement Scholarship will help more students pursue a college degree or certificate and start their careers with less debt, allowing for greater future economic and social mobility and prosperity,” said Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, President of St. Clair County Community College. “We are grateful to Governor Whitmer and our legislators for prioritizing this scholarship for Michigan residents.” 

For more information on how to get your Michigan Achievement Scholarship, visit Michigan.gov/MIStudentAid.