Meridian Community College is participating in a statewide program, College Countdown MS, to help students with the college application process.

“Our office visited all five public high schools in the district and we helped over 95 percent of the seniors on each campus complete the MCC application for admissions,” Angela Payne, MCC director of admissions, said in a statement.

Payne noted that even students applying at a community college should express their intentions early.

“MCC recognizes that the senior year is busy with senior activities and other distractions,” Payne said in a statement. “Early college applications provide students with a little more freedom to enjoy the long-awaited accomplishment of senior year while relieving the student and their family of some of the pressures that come at the end of the year requirements.”

At the high schools, MCC admissions representatives encouraged students to complete three applications. Besides college admission, the process also helps students gain access scholarship offers, Payne said. 

College Countdown MS is part of a national effort, the American College Application Campaign. The mission is to help Mississippi high school seniors gain access to college through assistance with completing college applications, submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the state grant application and celebrating their acceptance into college, according to an MCC news released.

MCC’s Financial Aid office will continue the project by helping students and parents complete the FAFSA applications. Dates and places include Oct. 25, Southeast Lauderdale High School; Oct. 26, Northeast Lauderdale High School; Oct. 30, Clarkdale High School. Spring sessions are set for Feb. 9 at Meridian High School and Feb. 12 at Southeast Lauderdale High School.