MSU expands 'Promise' awards beyond high school graduates

Contact: Maridith Geuder

STARKVILLE, Miss.--An assistance program launched last month by Mississippi State for incoming freshmen now is expanding to include community college students.

The Mississippi State Promise, initially designed for qualifying freshmen whose family incomes are $30,000 or less, also will be available this fall to qualifying community college students from Mississippi for up to three years of study at MSU. As with the earlier awards, family incomes for the community college students must be $30,000 or less.

"We want to ensure access for those who are squeezed by increasing costs," said President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong. "Community colleges are important partners for Mississippi State in providing higher education to benefit the state, and we want to assist transferring students who wish to continue their education here."

To qualify for the Promise program, community college transfers must have completed 48 hours of coursework with at least a 2.5 grade point (out of 4.0). In addition, they must enroll as full-time students and maintain a 2.5 grade point while making satisfactory progress toward a degree.

For more information about the Mississippi State Promise, contact the Department of Student Financial Aid at telephone 662-325-2450. The mailing address is: MSU Promise, c/o Department of Student Financial Aid, P.O. Box 6035, Mississippi State, MS 39762.