MUSKEGON, Michigan — Applications are being accepted until Friday, Oct. 20, for readiness workshops at Muskegon Community College. The free program helps prepare you for college courses and pays a $400 stipend.
“I went to high school back in 1999 and I took that year off that everybody talks about and I just never really went back and then it became to like where you just kind of realize that you needed a change and it was something that I felt like I could maybe handle," said Katie Edwards, who participated in the first round of the program this summer.
13 ON YOUR SIDE reported on the program back in April when MCC first introduced the “Kick Off” program. It’s made possible by state funding given to all community colleges so that they’ll offer programs to help students catch up after learning loss because of the pandemic, or for adults simply interested in starting – or returning – to college.
The school had nearly 60 participants in the first round of the program.
“The most successful part of it was students sharing that they felt prepared for college and comfortable at MCC and they made connections and were excited, and then 40 of those students registered for fall,” said Hollie Benson, chairperson of the College Success Program and also part of reading faculty.
“I felt accomplished because we got a little diploma at the end of it and that kind of validated like you can really do this,” said Edwards, who used part of her $400 stipend to buy books after enrolling in classes at MCC this fall.
MCC received more funding to continue this program and open it up to more students.
The six-week program offers a college success seminar, plus math and reading workshops.
You must have a high school diploma or GED, and you must not have completed any college level math or English courses.
To apply, visit the MCC website.
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