A college education is now an option for every 2009 high school graduate in Itawamba Community College's five-county district including Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc.

Because of the generosity of foundations, business and industry partnerships and private donors, approximately 1,900 2009 seniors will have the opportunity to receive two full years of tuition free assistance to ICC.

Chickasaw County's program is a partnership with local governments, Three Rivers Planning and Development District and ICC. In Itawamba County, the partners include the city of Fulton, Itawamba County Board of Supervisors, numerous private donors and the Three Rivers Planning and Development District. In Lee County, the Lee County Board of Supervisors and CREATE Foundation established the Lee County/Marchbanks Helping Hand Tuition Guarantee Program. Monroe County's program is a product of the Gilmore Foundation. Pontotoc County sponsors in addition to the Three Rivers Planning and Development District include Pontotoc County, the city of Pontotoc and First National Bank.

"We are excited that today's announcement will relieve the hardworking people of Lee County from taking out second mortgages, student loans, or other debt to provide their children with two years of college education. By partnering with CREATE Foundation in this scholarship program the Board of Supervisors hopes to improve education levels within the county and prepare our citizens for the jobs in the "new economy" as well as make our county more attractive in economic development" said Bobby Smith, president, Lee County Board of Supervisors, the first group to announce the program.

ICC is the first community college in Mississippi for all five counties in its district to provide fully paid tuition for four regular semesters of instruction for the 2009 seniors. Graduating seniors will receive tuition assistance, if needed, to close the gap between available federal, state, and private grants and scholarships. The purpose of the program is to improve educational attainment levels in all five counties, thus strengthening community and economic development.

Three Rivers Planning and Development District Executive Director Randy Kelly stressed the importance of the announcement in each county for the economic growth of the area and commended the public and private donors for their investment. He called the partnership in each county an "economic cornerstone. I hope you can appreciate what this will do for the economic future."

To apply, students will work closely with their high school guidance counselors and Itawamba Community College counselors. In return, participating students must complete 12 course hours per semester and maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average.

ICC President David C. Cole suggested that teachers of every grade begin telling their students that they have two years of college paid and waiting for them. "Imagine the cultural mindset by the time they become seniors. It would be standard operating procedure, no questions asked. By the time I graduate from high school, I'm going to ICC."

Applications are available in the ICC Financial Aid or Student Affairs office or at any high school in the five-county supporting district. In order to apply, the 2009 seniors must graduate from high school or earn the GED by June 1; take the American College Test by June 30; complete the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant application at www.ihl.state.ms.us by July 31; complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov by July 31; complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov by July 31; apply for ICC institutional scholarships by July 31; enroll at ICC as a full-time student (12 hours or more) and complete the appropriate county Guaranteed Tuition Program application by July 31. High school seniors must start at ICC the first fall semester following their graduation and continue for four regular semesters to receive guaranteed tuition funds.

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Posted 02/25/09 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.