SE Valley Times

Mesa Community College is now accepting applications for the Mesa College Promise program for the 2025-2026 academic year. Applications will be accepted online until June 15. The program, which began in 2021, is a partnership between the City of Mesa, Mesa Community College (MCC), and local businesses. It covers two years of tuition and fees at MCC for eligible 2025 high school graduates from Mesa and adults aged 25 or older.

Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman commented on the program's impact: "With the support of our local business community, the Mesa College Promise has been a resource for connecting Mesa residents to higher education and career growth opportunities." He added, "As someone who benefited from education at MCC, I appreciate the transformative impact education can have on a person's future. Together, we're building a stronger workforce for tomorrow."

Eligibility for current high school students includes being on track to graduate from a public, private, charter, online school, home school or having received a state-accredited GED. Applicants must complete FAFSA and apply to attend MCC. Those who graduated after January 1, 2021 are also eligible.

The program assists students with financial needs whose FAFSA funds or scholarships do not cover college costs entirely. Requirements include maintaining a GPA of at least 2.0, residing in Mesa, and enrolling in at least 12 credit hours per semester.

Adults aged 25 and older must demonstrate financial need via FAFSA completion and other documentation. They should have completed high school or obtained a GED but not previously attended college or earned some credits without obtaining a degree. They must enroll in at least six credits as degree or certificate-seeking students in an eligible program at MCC.

"Education serves as a transformative force, unlocking the potential within our students to achieve greatness," said Dr. Richard Daniel, President of MCC. "Building a culture of learning shapes a brighter future for both our students and the entire community."

Since its inception in Fall 2021 with an initial group of 216 students, enrollment numbers have varied each year: 201 in Fall 2022, around 200 in Fall 2023, and 301 in Fall 2024 including adult learners who became eligible that year. Over seventy percent of participants are first-generation college attendees.

Further information and application details are available at mesacc.edu/mesa-promise.