The Mesa College Promise program has announced that individuals aged 24 and above can now benefit from free tuition at Mesa Community College.
In 2021, the program was initiated through the collaboration of public and private partnerships with the goal of aiding Mesa residents who faced financial difficulties in pursuing higher education. Initially, the program focused solely on providing support to recent high school graduates.
According to Rich Nickel, the CEO of Education Forward Arizona, the choice to provide complimentary tuition for older individuals at community colleges will assist Arizona in reaching its educational objectives.
According to Nickel’s statement during a press conference on Monday, the current percentage of Arizonans possessing a post-secondary degree or workforce certification is only 48%, which is less than half of the population.
By 2030, Arizona aims to have 60% of its population achieve a postsecondary education, as stated in their statewide goal for higher education attainment.
According to Nickel, education is the answer as it offers significant advantages, both in terms of money and society, not just for the students but also for their communities, families, and the entire state.
During the press conference, Mesa Mayor John Giles reiterated similar thoughts. He emphasized the importance of education for the city’s economic growth, as it can attract both students and major corporations.
According to Giles, in order to maintain competitiveness, it is crucial for us to establish ourselves as a college town and prioritize education as a city. The enhancement of the Mesa College Program will contribute to the achievement of the state’s educational objectives.
The Mesa College Promise is the ultimate resource for reaching the Achieve60AZ objective. It is the key that opens the toolbox towards achieving this goal.
The program provides more than just tuition at no cost. In addition, students are granted a $250 stipend for the purpose of covering costs related to books and transportation. They also have the guidance of an advisor and the opportunity to participate in a range of programs aimed at supporting their academic achievement.
In order to be considered eligible, students must meet specific criteria.
- In order to qualify, individuals must show their financial need by completing the FAFSA.
- A high school diploma or GED is a requirement for students.
- It is not allowed for applicants to already hold a college degree.
- Enrollment in a minimum of six credits’ worth of classes is mandatory.
To apply, individuals may visit the official website of Mesa Community College.
