PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Aaron Faist, Program Officer, Bay Area Community Foundation
(989) 893-4438 | aaronf@bayfoundation.org
Bay Area Community Foundation Expands Bay Commitment Scholarship to Provide More Flexible, Long-Term Support for First-Generation Students
Bay City, MI – August 14, 2026 – The Bay Area Community Foundation (BACF) is expanding its Bay Commitment Scholarship Program to provide first-generation college students with greater flexibility and continued financial support as they pursue their education.
Beginning with the 2026 scholarship cycle, the Bay Commitment Scholarship will continue to provide an initial $2,000.00 scholarship, but the award will now be renewable for up to four years. The scholarship now has a value totaling up to $4,250.00. The program will also offer students greater flexibility in their educational journey, including the ability to transfer unused scholarship funds from their first year onto another eligible institution outside of Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College.
The changes reflect BACF’s ongoing commitment to not only helping students get to college but helping them successfully navigate the path through college and toward their future careers.
“Bay Commitment has always been more than a scholarship,” said Shawna Walraven, President and CEO of the Bay Area Community Foundation. “We want to make sure students have the resources, flexibility, and support they need to not only begin their college journey, but to continue moving forward when their plans change. By making this scholarship renewable and creating more flexibility for students, we are investing in their long-term success and in the future of our community.”
Since its creation in 2008, Bay Commitment has supported first-generation college students as they pursue degrees and certificates. The program was created by local philanthropists and community leaders who recognized that increasing educational attainment is an important investment in the future of Bay County and the region.
The program is designed for students who may be the first in their families to navigate the college experience, making access to guidance and support especially important.
“Financial assistance can open the door to college, but we know that getting through that door is only the beginning,” said Aaron Faist, Program Officer at the Bay Area Community Foundation. “There are so many
decisions students must make once they graduate from high school. From financial aid and course registration to understanding their academic requirements and managing the transition to college life. Our goal is to make sure Bay Commitment students have someone in their corner throughout that process.”
As part of its commitment to student success, BACF also partners with Complete College Advising, led by Anderson Bearden, to provide personalized college advising to Bay Commitment scholars.
Bearden brings nearly two decades of higher education experience in admissions, enrollment management, financial aid and scholarship awarding. Students receive individualized support as they transition from high school to college.
Advising can include help with:
- Completing the FAFSA and understanding financial aid
- Reviewing and accepting financial aid awards
- Registering for classes and understanding academic requirements
- Preparing for orientation and placement testing
- Creating important college accounts and managing deadlines
- Understanding housing and meal-plan options
- Identifying additional financial resources and scholarships
- Navigating unexpected challenges that may affect a student’s ability to succeed
“We want students to know that they don’t have to figure all of this out on their own,” said Anderson Bearden, founder of Complete College Advising. “College is a major transition, and there are a lot of moving pieces. Our role is to listen to each student, understand where they want to go, and help them navigate the steps to get there, whether that means figuring out financial aid, choosing classes or overcoming an unexpected obstacle.”
Complete College Advising emphasizes individualized guidance rather than directing students toward a particular college or career path. The goal is to help students understand their options and make informed decisions based on their own academic, financial, and personal circumstances.
The expanded Bay Commitment model represents a broader approach to college access, pairing financial support with personalized guidance, so students have resources available both when they enter college and as they continue toward graduation.
“Success doesn’t look exactly the same for every student,” said Faist. “Sometimes a student’s path changes. Sometimes the school they started at isn’t the right fit. Sometimes they need additional support to get through a difficult semester. We want Bay Commitment to give students the foundation and flexibility to keep moving forward.”
The Bay Area Community Foundation currently offers over 150 scholarship opportunities for students throughout Bay and Arenac Counties, awarding more than $700,000.00 in scholarships each year. These opportunities support graduating seniors, current college students, adult and returning students, and individuals pursuing skilled trades and certificates.
Bay Commitment is one part of BACF’s broader work to increase postsecondary education access, student readiness and success throughout the region.
“An investment in a student’s education is an investment in the entire community,” said Walraven. “When students have the opportunity to pursue education beyond high school and successfully complete that education, they are better positioned to build careers, support their families and contribute to the communities they call home.”
Additional information about the Bay Commitment Scholarship and BACF’s other scholarship opportunities is available through the Bay Area Community Foundation’s scholarship portal.
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The Bay Area Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization working to improve the quality of life in Bay and Arenac counties. The Foundation’s mission is to build community through generosity, leadership and strategic grantmaking. The Bay Area Community Foundation is in the Pere Marquette Depot at 1000 Adams Street, Suite 200, Bay City, Michigan 48708. For more information, visit www.bayfoundation.org.
I am proud to serve my community through my role at BACF. As a Program Officer, I collaborate with nonprofit, government, church, and school partners in Bay and Arenac counties to navigate our grant opportunities and find the right funding alignment. From project conception to post-award, I am your main contact for all things grants. Connecting organizations and donors who share the same vision and passion is at the heart of my work.
