SE Valley Times

Monday, July 15, is the deadline to apply for assistance from the Mesa College Promise program for the 2024-2025 academic year. The program offers two years of tuition and fees at Mesa Community College (MCC) for eligible 2024 Mesa high school graduates and eligible Mesa residents aged 24 years or older.

Mesa College Promise is available to Mesa residents who meet specific requirements: demonstrating financial need through FAFSA completion and supporting documentation, having earned a high school diploma or GED, not having earned a college degree, and enrolling at MCC in a minimum of six credits as a degree or certificate-seeking student in an eligible program of study.

This will be the first academic year that Mesa residents aged 24 and older can apply for assistance. Mesa Mayor John Giles launched Mesa College Promise in 2021 as a public-private partnership with MCC and the corporate sector to eliminate one of the top attainment barriers for adult learners. "This program allows many in our community to upskill or reskill at no cost," said Giles.

Applications are being accepted online for the 2024-2025 academic year for eligible 2024 Mesa high school graduates and newly eligible adults. One of the first Promise Programs in Arizona, Mesa College Promise welcomed its initial group of 88 students to MCC in Fall 2021, followed by 201 students in Fall 2022 and approximately 200 students in Fall 2023. More than 70% of these students are the first in their families to attend college.

The program supports Achieve60AZ's statewide goal that at least 60% of all Arizona adults have a high-value workforce certification or college degree by 2030. A recent statewide survey shows that "86% of residents support that goal."

Mesa College Promise scholars appreciate the financial support made possible through individual and organizational philanthropic contributions. Additionally, they value access to services designed to ensure their academic success.

Since its inception, more than $760,000 has been donated to Mesa College Promise from government and business private match funds. Google has contributed $100,000 towards expanding the program to include newly eligible adults.

Full details about Mesa College Promise and the application link are available at mesacc.edu/mesa-promise.