STEP ONE: APPLY TO COLLEGE
Apply to your local community college for Michigan Reconnect. Community colleges accept all students.
Each community college has its own process you must complete to enroll. Here are some common steps:
Complete the online application form.
All community colleges have online applications. Before you start the form, most colleges will require
you to create an online account.
Submit your transcripts.
The application process will require you to submit your high school and college transcripts.
Here’s how you can access your transcripts:
If you graduated from a Michigan high school, order your transcript from Parchment.com, create
an online account and provide basic information. It costs $3.25 to order a transcript and you must
use a credit card to pay.
If you completed a high school equivalency exam (including GED, HiSET and TASC), order your
transcripts from DiplomaSender.com and create an online account. You will be asked for your
name, birthday, when and where you took your high school equivalency exam. It costs $17 to
order a transcript and you can pay by credit card or money order. If you took the test within the
last 12 months, you could receive your initial diploma and transcript for free.
If you’re a returning college student, you’ll also need transcripts from any college you’ve attended.
“M AYBE SOME DAY”
JUST BECAME
“DEFINITELY
TODAY.”
COLLEGE CHECKLIST
IT’S TIME TO PURSUE YOUR PASSION.
Complete placement testing.
Most colleges ask you to take a reading, writing,
and/or math test as part of the application process.
They use these tests to identify areas where you
may need to freshen up your skills.
If English is your second language, you may be
required to demonstrate your language proficiency.
This is done through the TOEFL (Test of English as
a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English
Language Testing System) or an institution-specific
exam.
STEP TWO: SUBMIT YOUR FAFSA
In order to receive the Reconnect scholarship, you must apply for financial aid from the federal government
by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Gather your materials.
To complete the FAFSA, you’ll need your:
Social Security number or Alien Registration Number
Driver’s license, if you have one
Previous year’s federal income tax return, if you filed
Bank account statements
Previous year’s W-2 form (and for your spouse, if married)
Create an FSA ID at StudentAid.gov.
An FSA ID is a username and password you’ll use to complete, sign and submit your FAFSA. To create
one, you’ll need your social security number and date of birth. You’ll also need to provide an email
address or mobile phone number.
Do you have an FSA ID? If you’ve logged into the U.S. Department of Education website since 2015,
you may have an existing FSA ID. Use the “Forgot My Username” or “Forgot My Password” links to
access your account online at StudentAid.gov.
Complete the online form at FAFSA.ed.gov.
There’s an app for that! The FAFSA application is available for free on the myStudentAid app. Look
for it in the Apple app store or Google Play.
Never pay to file. Completing the FAFSA is always free. Make sure you are at the official FAFSA site.
Some students are nervous to take a placement test. That’s understandable!
Remember, no matter your score, you ARE college material.
If the test results show that you need to freshen up your skills with a remedial course, you are not alone.
Many community college students take remedial classes (sometimes called developmental or non-credit
bearing classes). These classes are just a step on your path to graduation. Check your college’s website
for their policies or ask a college admissions counselor.
If you’ve recently completed your high school diploma or equivalent, you may be able to submit
your transcript instead of taking a placement test.
If you’ve recently taken the SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP or ASVAB tests, you may be able to submit your test
scores instead of taking a placement test.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO
GET YOUR
DEGREE.
Sign and submit the FAFSA.
One of most common mistakes students make is not signing their FAFSA. Since it is electronic, you will
sign using your FSA ID and password. Once your FAFSA is submitted, you’ll see a confirmation page
and receive a confirmation email.
Don’t worry if the FAFSA indicates you are not eligible for federal aid. There are no income eligibility
requirements for this scholarship.
Feeling overwhelmed or stuck? Experts are available to help you complete the FAFSA.
Chat with the federal FAFSA team online at FAFSA.ed.gov or by phone at 1-800-4FED-AID
(1-800-433-3243).
Contact the financial aid office at your community college.
STEP THREE: ENROLL IN CLASSES
Enroll in an eligible program.
Reconnect students can enroll in any associate degree program or in an eligible skill certificate program.
The skill certificate can be in any field, but the skill certificate must qualify for credit and be eligible for the
Pell grant. Ask your community college to confirm that the skill certificate you’re considering qualifies.
Register for classes.
An academic advisor at your college can help you select classes that work for your schedule and help
you move quickly toward graduation. Remember, to remain qualified for Reconnect you must enroll in
classes at least half time and stay enrolled continuously through graduation.
Participate in orientation.
Some colleges require students to participate in orientation either on campus or online. For adults,
sometimes orientation is optional. We strongly recommend you participate! Orientation helps you get to
know campus and better understand the academic, financial and personal resources available at your
college. During orientation, you may also meet with an academic advisor and register for classes.
Review financial balances.
If you are a returning college student and you owe your college money, the college will likely prevent you
from registering for classes until the debt is paid or a payment plan is established. It can be intimidating
to talk to college administrators about old bills, but remember that colleges want you to enroll. Some
colleges even offer debt-forgiveness programs to help students return and complete their degree.
We want to help you track your progress!
Check your status to confirm that your Reconnect application and FAFSA were submitted and that you’re
approved to receive the scholarship at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.
