Monroe County Guaranteed Tuition Program Policy

MCGTP 2 Plus 2 – Letter of Intent to Attend Public University

POLICY

Beginning with the fall 2008 semester, the Gilmore Foundation will pay for 4 semesters of higher education at Itawamba Community College, a comprehensive two-year institution with campuses in Fulton and Tupelo.  Through the guaranteed tuition program, applicants may pursue any type of program offered at Itawamba Community College.  There will be no income requirement on the free tuition being offered.  Non-tuition related expenses such as books and supplies, room and board will not be covered by the guaranteed tuition program.

PURPOSE

To provide any resident (no age restriction) living in Monroe County the opportunity to receive a higher degree of education.

APPLICABILITY

To qualify for the tuition assistance, the applicant must reside in Monroe County and agree to:

(1)  Show proof of residency (voter registration, utility bill, etc.).

(2)  Adhere to ICC’s admission standards and procedures.

(3)  Graduate from high school or pass the GED.

(4)  Take the National ACT by June 30.  Register at www.ACT.org.

(5)  Apply for Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) at www.mississippi.edu by July 31.

(6)  Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov

By July 31.  ICC’s school code is 002409. Applicant must apply for MTAG and FAFSA, then the remainder of the unpaid tuition will be funded through the MCGTP.

(7)  Enroll as a full-time (12 hours minimum) student.

(8)  Maintain a 2.0 average on a 4.0 system for each semester. (If student drops below full-time status or drops below a semester average of 2.0, he/she is permanently dropped from the program – never to return.)

INFORMATION

Applications for the Monroe County Guaranteed Tuition Program are available through ICC’s Financial Aid Office, 602 West Hill Street, Fulton, Mississippi, (662-862-8221).

POLICY REVISIONS

Effective July 2011 – The grant amount will increase to a possible maximum of $1400 per semester, which includes tuition and registration fee of $1000 and a $400 allowance towards books.  As before, any other Federal, state, and scholarship aid will apply first and if the balance from these sources does not exceed $1400, the MCTG will fill the unmet gap up to $1400.

2 PLUS 2 – MCGTP PUBLIC UNIVERSITY OPTION PLAN (Undergraduate Level)

Some students choose to attend a community college for two years prior to further study at another college or university.  To provide an opportunity for Monroe County residents to continue their education in undergraduate programs, the Gilmore Foundation has expanded its Monroe County Guaranteed Tuition Program to include an university option plan.  Effective with the spring 2012 ICC graduating class, the Gilmore Foundation will pay two fall semesters tuition (up to 19 hours at undergraduate level) to any of the public universities in Mississippi.  The Foundation will pay for tuition only after all financial aid is applied.

APPLICABILITY

To qualify for the 2 Plus 2 tuition assistance, the applicant must:

(1)  Be a graduate from one of the following high schools: Amory, Aberdeen, Hatley, Smithville, Hamilton or Nettleton.   Nettleton graduates must reside in Monroe County.  Students who earned a GED must demonstrate five years residency in Monroe County.

(2)  Be an ICC graduate that participated in the Monroe County Guaranteed Tuition Program upon acceptance at ICC during their freshman year.

(3)  Submit letter of intention to Gilmore Foundation no later than May 30.  Form available on the GF website, www.gilmorefoundation.org on May 1, 2011.

(4)  Maintain a Monroe County residence while enrolled in the undergraduate program.

(5)  Maintain at least a 2.0 average.

AMORY MUW SCHOLARSHIP (Cost $230.00 per student)

The dual enrollment and dual credit program at MUW gives high school students the opportunity to earn college credits while learning about the college experience.   Dual enrollment permits high school students to enroll in MUW courses during the regular academic year and receive credit in advance or their gradation.  Dual credit allows high school students to enroll in courses during the regular academic year to earn high school and college credit.

On July 27, 2011, the Gilmore Foundation Board of Directors approved expansion of the MCGTP to include Amory MUW Scholarships ($230.00 per student).

Amory dual enrollment with MUW is coordinated through Paula Wax, Director of Federal Program, Amory School District.

To qualify, students must have approval from their principal or guidance counselor. They must also have an overall 2.50 GPA on a 4.0 scale, 14 core high school units, or an ACT composite score of 30 or the equivalent SAT score.