In Northport, the path to a bright future now starts earlier. Students at Northport Public School are automatically enrolled in Promise Saves, a new children’s savings account program designed to turn postsecondary aspirations into a tangible reality. With support from a New Program Development & Administration grant from CEDAM and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), this program was created by the community’s preexisting Promise Scholarship organization, The Northport Promise, making it a unique addition to the Michigan Children’s Savings Account (CSA) Network. 

Located roughly thirty miles north of Traverse City, Northport Public School currently enrolls approximately 115 K-12 students. The Northport Promise, which was established in 2008, helps Northport Public School graduates pay for college or trade school. When looking at the barriers keeping students from accessing the Promise Scholarship, program leaders determined it was key that all students in the district be eligible for the Promise Saves program. Their new CSA program is designed to reach students at a younger age as they consider their pathways for the future.

“We wanted to ensure all students had access to this program to promote the possibility of higher education to all our students,” said Rebecca Teahen, secretary of The Northport Promise. “Despite the Northport Promise Scholarship having been in place since 2008, we still weren’t seeing the college-going numbers we hoped for among some classes. We’re hopeful that the CSA program starts to open those doors for students at a younger age as they consider their pathways for the future.”

Community support has bolstered the program’s launch. Beyond the initial grant support to launch the program, Promise Saves is entirely funded through charitable gifts. Teahen credits the early success of Promise Saves to program partners Northport Public School and TBA Credit Union for their eagerness to collaborate with the program and for their mutual efforts to ensure the program’s enrollment and incentive funds data remain transparent and up-to-date.

“The grant funding through CEDAM [and LEO] was just the nudge we needed to get this program launched for Northport Public School students. Paired with our Promise Scholarship, we believe that the Promise Saves CSA program has the potential to make an even greater impact in the lives of our students and families to pursue higher education and brighter futures,” said Teahen.

For the community of Northport, the launch of Promise Saves is a major accomplishment that furthers the culture of aspiration established by The Northport Promise. Congratulations to everyone whose hard work made Promise Saves happen—we’re eager to support your program’s promising future!

Promise Saves is one of 18 programs currently enrolling students as part of the Michigan CSA Network, a statewide initiative led by CEDAM. The Michigan CSA Network supports local CSAs by offering infrastructure, technical assistance, and resources to community-based programs. 

To learn more about the state’s CSA programs, visit the Michigan CSA Network webpage or email CEDAM’s director of economic initiatives, Madeleine March-Meenagh, at [email protected].