Promise Basics:

• As of 2023, Students will have a maximum of SIX (6) academic years from the date of high school graduation, or from the date of issuance of a GED or its equivalent, to use Promise scholarship monies to cover up to 72 attempted credits, the equivalent to an associate’s degree or certificate from West Shore Community College.  Eligible high schools: Ludington High School, Mason County Central High School, Mason County Eastern High School, Gateway to Success Academy, and ASM Tech (graduates of MCC, which is a special school designation).   High School attendance for at least one school year, residency in Mason County (or defined Mason County-based school district boundaries) of at least a year, and graduation will be verified by school districts after the graduation date. 

• OTHER ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS:​

  • HOMESCHOOLED graduates must demonstrate at least a year of residency, including their graduating year, and demonstrate that they are registered as a homeschool with the state of Michigan, or be registered for services through the West Shore ESD (new in 2023--see the application page for more information)

  • "NON-MASON COUNTY BASED HIGH SCHOOL" graduates must be Mason County residents and must demonstrate at least a year of residency, including their senior year of high school, and demonstrate their graduation by providing a copy of their high school transcript with graduation information. (new in 2023, see the application page for more graduation information).  Schools must be accredited.

  • GED Recipients (in 2018 or after, available up to six years after GED, due to max time-limit of Promise) must provide a copy of their GED completion certificate and demonstrate at least a year of residency at the time of receipt and application.  ​

• The Promise Scholarship can also be applied any semester for which an approved scholar is registered and meets academic guidelines (SAP), with no minimum credit requirement. 

• Toward payment of tuition and mandatory fees, the Promise may be used to replace or supplement loans, work-study opportunities, private scholarships, or expected family contributions, but the Promise may not be used to replace federal or state grants or state scholarships.  The Promise Scholarship is not a set amount, and will not be paid directly to the student.  It is paid directly to WSCC and applied to student bills after the drop/add period. 

  • Students enrolled in the WSCC-MSU Agriculture Program should reach out to WSCC's Financial Aid office​ and Business Office to coordinate financial aid usage and payment for any classes at MSU, no later than two weeks before the start of classes.

• High school seniors may apply after filing their FAFSA and applying to West Shore Community College.

• Returning scholars are required to renew their Promise application each academic year after renewing their FAFSA, and to submit their college transcript(s) each year after winter grades post (mail to: info@masoncountypromise.org). Renewal and registration for classes is recommended by August 1 (or by January 1 for winter smester).

• Starting in fall 2023, an Educational Supplies Award will be offered to eligible approved Promise Scholars taking in fall or winter semester (once annually).  Educational Supplies Awards will be offered one time per academic year (in fall or winter) for up to two years total.  Students can qualify by:

  • FOR YEAR 1: Completing FAFSA, orientation and attend a summer informational session prior to August 1 of year one (alternatives to this may be available), and registering for 12 or more credits (prior to August 1).

  • FOR YEAR 2: Completing FAFSA, First Year Seminar with a C or better during their first year at WSCC  (alternatives to this may be available), and registering for 12 or more credits (prior to August 1).

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How does the Promise Scholarship Work from Initial Application to my First Semester at WSCC?

For First-Year Scholars: 

• After students complete an initial application, they receive a confirmation email.  From there, if a student is a high school senior, after graduation,  the Promise staff will verify their high school graduation, final GPA, and residency with their Mason County-based district, or the West Shore ESD (for Mason County resident students who do not attend a public school based in Mason County).  Eligible students who qualify will receive a letter in June to let them know that they meet eligibility for the Promise Scholarship at WSCC.  Students must also ensure they register at WSCC in the fall and winter semesters and complete their FAFSA each year with WSCC listed as their first choice, to remain eligible.

• Students will receive information in their award letter about how to qualify for the educational supplies award. Qualification is by August 1 (No appeal options are available for the ESA).

• After enrolling and registering for classes at WSCC , WSCC will provide a financial aid award information packet to students.  The Promise Scholarship will not show up as a set award in this packet. WSCC will also send a bill to students for any remaining tuition and mandatory fees if federal and state grants and scholarships do not cover their full tuition and fees.  From there, if a student has been identified by the Promise Zone as a Scholar (applied and eligible), WSCC will add the Promise Scholarship on their bill after the drop/add period has ended (after the 2nd week of class).  If you have any questions about the WSCC billing process for the Promise Scholarship, the WSCC billing office phone number is 231-843-5889.

• This process will be repeated each semester during the first year, provided students are in good standing (2.0 GPA or higher and completing 67% of attempted credits).

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For Returning Scholars:

• To remain eligible for the Promise, Scholars must be in good standing at WSCC for financial aid (minimum of 2.0 GPA and 67% completion rate).  Scholars must reapply for FAFSA for each academic year.  Returning Promise Scholars must also complete a "renewal application,"  after their winter grades post (but before Fall of the new academic year), and submit a copy of their transcript to info@masoncountypromise.org. Promise Scholars must be in good standing with a 2.0 GPA or higher, and must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid purposes to be eligible for the Promise Scholarship because the Promise is a middle-dollar scholarship, which means that financial aid grant resources are applied to tuition and fees before the Promise Scholarship can be.

• Students in year two can qualify for the educational supplies award by August 1, prior to the fall semester of their second year.  To qualify, students must take First Year Seminar (FYS 100) and achieve a C grade or better, prior to their 2nd year, and must register for 12 or more credits in that semester (no appeal options are available for the ESA).  Some exceptions can apply, and students will be sent information on how to fill out an alternative qualification form. No additional educational supplies award will be distributed after the 2nd year award.

• If a student is placed on financial aid suspension because of not meeting SAP, they will not be eligible to use the MCP Scholarship. To find out more information about SAP, visit: https://www.westshore.edu/admissions/paying-for-college/financial-aid/

• If the student is granted an appeal for SAP at WSCC, they can then appeal to the MCP board to request that their Promise Scholarship be reinstated for that semester. Students can submit an appeal at masoncountypromise.org 

• From there, the billing process will work the same as in the first year.  Please note that there no credit minimum to use the Promise Scholarship in any semester, however there is a credit requirement to qualify for the limited educational supplies award.  Also, there is currently a limit of 72 attempted credits that the Promise will cover for eligible Promise Scholars at WSCC.  ​Attempted credits are counted from all institutions attended after high school graduation.

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A Mason County Promise Scholar is any student who was awarded the Promise Scholarship, who attends an approved partner institution, and who continues to meet all eligibility requirements of the Mason County Promise Scholarship.

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For additional questions, don't hesitate to contact us at info@masoncountypromise.org

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