Bay Area Community Foundation (BACF) will host a ribbon cutting for the Bay Commitment College Access Resource Center on the first floor of the restored Pere Marquette Depot, 1000 Adams, Bay City, MI.  The Ribbon Cutting will take place on November 30, 2010 at 4:00 PM.  The College Resource Center phone number is 893-6026.  Hours of operation will be 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  Appointments can be made for assistance after 6 p.m. or Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The College Resource Center is designed to assist Bay County students and their families through the maze of applying for college.  The Center will serve as a proactive information resource for all area students working through the steps necessary to go to college.  The Bay Commitment College Resource Center's features include:

College, financial aid, and scholarship resource materials, brochures, applications, and catalogues

• Assistance in the financial aid and scholarship process
• Internet connected computers to search for college and career information
• Guidance in filling out college applications and managing the college prep timeline
• Informational sessions regarding college and career awareness

Bay Commitment, a multi-faceted local college access network, was formed through the collaborative activities of BACF, business, and education leaders. In early 2007, a Steering Committee of community leaders gathered to determine the feasibility of launching a local college access network in Bay County.  Their efforts implemented a unique county-wide effort to assist first-generation and underserved students overcome barriers to post secondary education.  Bay Commitment set out to change the culture in our community from one that considers college a luxury to one where education beyond high school is viewed as a necessity. 

The Bay Commitment College Access Network was inspired by the belief that having access to post secondary education is an investment in our children and in our community's future.  Continuing education benefits the person, the vibrancy of the area's business economy, and the quality of life for all citizens.  The Bay Commitment College Access Network includes funding for College Prep Service Office Liaisons in the Bay County's four public school districts, assistance for students applying for scholarships and financial aid, and ongoing steps to stay in college.