Success story: Spring registration starts; scholarships encourage retention

October 15, 2025

Northwestern Michigan College surpassed a financial aid and philanthropic milestone this summer, awarding more than $2 million in scholarship dollars for the first time ever.

For the 2024–25 academic year, NMC distributed $2.07 million to students. That topped the 2023–24 total of $1.98 million by $91,742. The total includes NMC institutional scholarships ($1.6 million) plus external scholarships ($469,000), which are typically awarded from local sources like community foundations, companies and churches.

As registration for spring semester begins this week, the importance of scholarship support is top of mind.

“The cost of college is one of the most common obstacles to attendance,” said Lindsey Dickinson, NMC director of student success and retention. “Scholarship support is critical for students to be able to complete their educational path and move on to life and career goals.”

Thanks to NMC scholarships, 2024 Great Lakes Culinary Institute student Caroline Clark (above) graduated debt free. Now she’s investing the money she saved on tuition in a wedding cake business, Sweet Caroline’s Confections.

“That’s the path I’m taking, an entrepreneurial path,” said Clark. Working out of her home, she baked cakes for 12 weddings this past summer. But she’s preparing to have a commercial space, hopefully by 2027.

“I was able to purchase some equipment. When the time is right, I can have a commercial space,” Clark said.

Marine Technology student Daniel Heil received an external scholarship from the Marine Technical Society. The Washington DC-based nonprofit promotes awareness, understanding, and the advancement and application of marine technology.

"This scholarship means the world to me. It’s not just recognition of where I’ve been — it’s a vote of confidence in where I’m going. I’m deeply grateful to be supported in this mission to merge deep-sea exploration with next-generation technology,” Heil said.

NMC also announced that the proportion of financial aid from grants — money students don’t have to repay — rose significantly last year. Grants totaled 62 percent of financial aid while loans made up 38 percent.

In the 2023–24 academic year it was nearly evenly split, with 51 percent grants and 49 percent loans. The shift, primarily due to state programs like the Community College Guarantee for high school graduates and Michigan Reconnect for adults 25 and older who don’t already have a degree, is highly positive for students.

Neither Heil nor Clark qualified for those programs, however. For students like them, NMC and external scholarships are vital.

“Instead of worrying about student loans or debt, I was able to focus on my career goal,” Clark said. “I’m very grateful I was able to do that.”

She keeps a list of her 10 scholarships, which ranged from $375 to $5,000. It’s a reminder to the 22-year-old to sustain her healthy financial habits.

“Not only for my career but for my lifetime, that’s a goal of mine, to continue being debt free,” she said.

NMC automatically matches accepted students with scholarships — no extra applications are required. Read more. Find out more about becoming a scholarship donor at nmc.edu/give.