Valley Advantage

Free Program Offers Students Opportunity to Prepare for College, Earn Cash

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is once again inviting recent high school graduates and adult learners to a FREE three-week program called the Valley Advantage.

Valley Advantage will focus on what is needed to start college in the fall and is designed to help students build confidence and navigate college. A high school diploma or GED is the only requirement.

Session Dates

July AM Session | 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (shorter first day for orientation)

• Orientation - July 6 - 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
• July 7-9
• July 13-16
• July 20-23
• July 27

July PM Session | 12:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (shorter first day for orientation)

• Orientation - July 6 - 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
• July 7-9
• July 13-16
• July 20-23
• July 27

August AM Session | 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (shorter first day for orientation)

• Orientation - August 3 - 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
• August 4-6
• August 10-13
• August 17-21

August PM Session | 12:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (shorter first day for orientation)

• Orientation - August 3 - 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
• August 4-6
• August 10-13
• August 17-21

Registration will open March 1.

Program highlights:

During this three-week program, students will:

• Boost their skills in English and mathematics
• Explore college resources
• Learn valuable life skills and success strategies
• Engage in team-building exercises

The Valley Advantage offers:

• Opportunity to earn up to $550 during the program.
• Assistance with transportation costs (gas card/bus tokens)
• Loaner laptop computer
• Classroom supplies
• Breakfast or lunch each day
• Kalamazoo Valley swag
• End-of-program celebration

Who can participate in Valley Advantage?

The program is available to anyone who is interested in attending college in the fall.

• 2026 high school graduates (now eligible for the Community College Guarantee)
• Anyone, of any age, who has a high school diploma or GED and has earned less than six college credit hours.
• If you have over six credit hours, but have not attended college for 2+ years, please apply to be considered.

Admissions Steps

Step 1: Apply to Valley Advantage

If you have been accepted to Kalamazoo Valley and are able to log in to your student portal, fill out our short Valley Advantage application using the link below.

If you have not yet applied to Kalamazoo Valley, apply to the college by using the link below. After applying to the college, apply to Valley Advantage using the link above.

Step 2: Placement Test

You will need to complete our Guided Self Placement Survey. If you have not done so before, please email .

You will be notified by email within one week of submitting your application if accepted.

Please email advantage@kvcc.edu for questions or assistance.