What is the Wayfinder Program?
The Wayfinder Program offers free college credits for adults facing social or economic barriers to higher education. You'll be paired with inspiring professors who are experts in their field and have a passion for students.
This program is designed for eager adults who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree and bring enthusiasm for learning alongside their rich life experiences. In a cohort of 15-25 students, you'll take three courses that combine art history, philosophy, literature, U.S. history, critical thinking, and writing.
free, transferable credits
course at a time
months total
Program Details
Courses
- Summer: ASC 111 Academic Transitions
- Fall: GCS 110 Intro to Humanities 1
- Spring: GCS 111 Intro to Humanities 2
What's Included?
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Books
- Technology
- Dinner during class
Eligibility Requirements
- Open to ages 18 and up
- Not yet completed a bachelor's degree
- Demonstrate social or economic barriers to higher education (for example, inadequate support systems such as childcare or transportation, financial insecurity, gender inequality, lack of access to quality education)
- Reside in the greater Grand Rapids area
- GED is not required to enroll
We have something that’s helping us grow right within the community, a little hidden secret.
Apply
The Wayfinder application is closed for 2024 and will open again in February 2025. Complete this short form and we'll contact you with more information.
Note: The intention behind the Wayfinder program is to activate an interest in and provide access to higher educational opportunities through barrier removal. In order to give the greatest opportunities to the most amount of students, Wayfinder students are not eligible to be concurrently degree-seeking students at Calvin University. We welcome Wayfinder students to apply to Calvin University degree programs upon completion of Wayfinder.
Support the Wayfinder Program
Calvin University, in collaboration with community and institutional partners, launched the Wayfinder Program, Michigan's first Clemente Course, in summer 2024.
This program responds to the desires heard in the focus groups and community conversations we convened through the 49507 Initiative. It is modeled after The Clemente Course in the Humanities®—an award-winning college-level liberal arts program for motivated low-income adults seeking to build better lives.
Help support this program to sustain future cohorts.
