MCC Bookstore Service Clerk Johnny Warren shows incoming MCC freshmen, from left, Calah Mathis of Starkville, Colt Taylor of Meridian and Rochelle Bush of Enterprise, books they may use in their classes this fall. The college has introduced a special scholarship for students who have earned a 21 or higher on the ACT to receive $600 per semester for books or other expenses.

    With a continued focus on helping students achieve their educational goals, Meridian Community College announced Tuesday a special scholarship to assist students and their families to ease the costs of college.

     The cost of college is one of the most prevalent reasons why students do not continue their education past high school, even though statistics point to more learning means more earning power, and the biggest gains in earning power occur with the addition of two years training after high school.

     “We realize that educational expenses, including personal expenses such as transportation costs, have gone up markedly in recent years,” MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott said.

    “In an effort to more strongly assist our students in coping with those costs, the MCC Board of Trustees has initiated this new scholarship program, which will especially support those students who have achieved a benchmark score on their ACT,” Elliott said.

     According to Soraya Welden, dean of students, incoming freshmen who sign the MCC Foundation’s Tuition Guarantee Program contract and earn a 21 or above on their ACT score will receive $600 per semester for books. Returning MCC sophomores, who were also under the Tuition Guarantee contract and who made a 22 or above on their ACT score will net $600 per semester for books.

     Additionally, in-state, out-of-district freshmen who earn a 25 or above on their ACT score, will receive the President’s Scholarship and garner $300 for their books per semester.

     The ACT score is one predictor of success on the college level, making this a worthy investment by the college in the economic development of our area. 

    “Our goal is to not only offer our students a quality college education, but to also provide them with incentives to stay at home, remain a part of our community, and ultimately help mold the future of that community,” Elliott said.

     The MCC Foundation initiated the first-ever Tuition Guarantee program in Mississippi and it was among the first of its kind in community colleges in the nation.