The Power of YOU
New program gives more students access to a higher education

-- Sarah Pierce

There is a new five-year pilot program being implemented in St. Paul and Minneapolis public, charter, and alternative high schools, that will give more students the chance at receiving a higher education. The Power of YOU program will begin this fall at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) and St. Paul College.

Metropolitan State University will begin participating in the fall of 2007. It is expected that the initial group of students will attend a two-year community college, which may promote interest in obtaining a bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan State University.

The Power of YOU program, which is expected to double the amount of high school graduates who enroll in local colleges, will begin with about 200 students for the 2006 school year. The program’s main purpose is to give high school students, who most likely believe college is not a possibility, the chance to attend for only the cost of books and transportation.

Students must meet a series of six simple requirements in order to participate in the program, including applying for financial aid, enrolling in at least 12 credits per term, and keeping satisfactory academic progress while in The Power of YOU program. The program compensates student the difference between a financial aid award and the total cost of tuition.

If an individual is not qualified for any financial aid funding, the program will pay for the entire cost of tuition. Program funding will come from government and private grants (about $3 million) and from participating schools and other institutions (estimated at $2.8 million), which could both significantly increase with community support and interest in the pilot program.

"Bridge" scholarships will also be made available for students who choose to seek a bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan State University. Other universities are also expected to join the program. These merit-based scholarships will help local students make the leap from a two-year degree to a four-year degree even more conceivable. The Power of YOU program hopes to eradicate some of the obstacles and falsities some students have about the expenses related to college and allow them each a chance at the future they dream about and deserve.

For an application or information, go to http://www.mctc.mnscu.edu/powerofyou/ or in Minneapolis, call Walter Novillo at 612-659-6218. In St. Paul, call Thomas Matos at 651-846-1325.