The Power of You program:
Questions and answers

Editors note: The following was received as an email attachment from Esther Peralez, Metropolitan State University’s vice president for student affairs. It provides an in-depth, comprehensive look at the new Power of You program.

Q. What is The Power of You program?

A. The Power of You is an innovative program that makes the first two years of college available tuition free for spring 2006 graduates of Minneapolis or St. Paul public high schools (students must also be residents of Minneapolis or Saint Paul). This bold initiative—the only one of its kind in Minnesota—is designed to significantly increase the postsecondary participation rates of Minneapolis and Saint Paul public high school students, particularly those of color.

The program will launch at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) and Saint Paul College in fall 2006 and at Metropolitan State University in fall 2007. Century College, Inver Hills Community College and Normandale Community College may participate in 2007. All of the colleges are members of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. This five-year pilot program will provide access to a spectrum of academic programs and career pathways at the partner colleges.

Q. Why was the program created?

A. Postsecondary education is required for success in today’s economic environment and global economy. Minnesota’s fastest-growing populations have the lowest high school graduation and postsecondary education participation rates. Students of color are significantly under-represented in Minnesota’s colleges and universities. More than 72 percent of the students in the Minneapolis and St. Paul public school districts are students of color (73 percent in Minneapolis and 72 percent in St. Paul).

For example, according to a November 2004 Minnesota Citizen’s League report, “Trouble on the Horizon,” less than half of students of color graduate from high school on time and only three percent of African American and American Indian students and five percent of Latino students will complete a bachelor’s degree before they are 25 years old.

Q: How is the program being funded?

A: Over $450,000 has already been secured for the Power of You program through generous gifts from General Mills, St. Paul Traveler’s and the Perlman Family Foundation. Approximately three million dollars will be raised from private and government grants to pilot the project for five years. Partner institutions and community organizations will also support the initiative with an additional $2.8 million.

Q: Why was the Power of You program initiated?

A: The Power of You program will provide a path for more students to help themselves achieve the education that is now essential for a sustainable career in our society. The program was initiated to:

• Overcome the real and perceived financial barriers to a college education.
• Raise awareness that a college education is essential to earning a living wage.
• Increase the number of Minneapolis and St. Paul public high school graduates who enroll in college and complete a degree.

Q: Are any other colleges in Minnesota offering a similar type of tuition-free program?

A: No, the Power of You program is currently the only one of its kind in Minnesota.

Q: Does the program pay for anything more than tuition?

A: The program pays for tuition and mandatory fees but does not cover books and living expenses.

Q: How will the Power of You program pay for college?

A: Students will apply for state and federal financial aid. Tuition and fees that are not covered by government grants will be funded by scholarships (money students don’t have to pay back) offered by the colleges. The program will support as many students as possible based on student need and funds available. Merit-based “bridge” scholarships will be provided to students who begin the program at MCTC or Saint Paul College and want to earn a baccalaureate degree at Metropolitan State University.

Q: How will you choose which students are accepted into the program?

A: The financial aid process that students must follow will identify the neediest students. We will distribute the money to the neediest students first.

Q: Are students from private high schools in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul eligible?

A: No, only students who graduate in spring of 2006 from a public, charter or alternative high school in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are eligible to apply for the program. Students must also reside in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Q: How many students will the program support the first year?

A: The program will support as many students as possible based on student need and funds available. It is anticipated that the program will serve a total of 200 students the first year of the program.

Q: What will the program really demonstrate?

A: Through a combination of financial incentives, outreach, and support, the Power of You program will demonstrate that it is possible to raise the expectations and the achievement levels of urban students, prepare them for college and put them on the path to productive careers and community involvement.

Q: How will the program help Twin Cities’ businesses and the community at large?

A: The Power of You program not only benefits students and their families but also Twin Cities businesses and the community at large. Businesses rely on a well-educated and well-trained labor pool. However, a large segment of the workforce is not getting the education and training they need to be productive workers. For this reason it is also supported by the Minnesota Business Partnership, a coalition of the 105 largest businesses in the state. In addition, a new report by Minnesota’s Citizens League, “The Case for Higher Education” points out that the benefits of higher education are not limited to earnings. College graduates live longer, healthier lives than do individuals without a bachelor’s degree. They experience lower unemployment, better working conditions, longer job tenure and more opportunities for professional development. They can also do more to help to build their communities.

Q: What is the timing for the program?

A: The program will launch at MCTC and Saint Paul College in fall 2006 and at Metropolitan State University in fall 2007. Century College, Inver Hills Community College and Normandale Community College may participate in 2007. This five-year pilot program will provide access to a spectrum of academic programs and career pathways at partner colleges.

Q: Why were the three colleges chosen to launch the program?

A: The mission of MCTC, Saint Paul College, and Metropolitan State University, which are members of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, is to serve the higher education needs of the diverse and growing population of the Twin Cities metro area. The colleges have a strong track record of serving urban residents and communities of color and are uniquely positioned to undertake the program.

Q: Will the program offer anything other than financial assistance with tuition and fees?

A: The program will offer an introductory course to learn classroom success skills. It will also offer:

• Individualized academic advising, tutoring, career development services, personal counseling and social and cultural activities.
• An opportunity for ELL students to receive additional support through a summer ELL (for English Language Learners only) Institute.

Q: What other criteria do students need to be meet to be eligible for the program?

A: Requirements for eligibility in the program are as follows:

• Graduate from a Minneapolis or St. Paul public high school in the spring of 2006 and must reside in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
• Apply for financial aid (submit a free application for Federal Student Aid – FAFSA)
• Take required assessment tests or standardized tests and meet admission requirements.
• Enroll in a summer ELL Institute.
• Attend New Student Orientation and register for fall semester 2006 classes.
• Enroll in at least 12 credits per term toward a degree, diploma or certificate.
• Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements each term.
• Participate in Power of You activities.

Q: What organizations are partnering to make the Power of You program available?

A: The program is a collaboration of MCTC, Saint Paul College, Metropolitan State University, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Minneapolis and St. Paul Public Schools and these community partners:

• African American Family Services
• YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis
• North Point Health and Wellness Center
• Hospitality House
• Achieve! Minneapolis
• American Red Cross of St. Paul Area
• YMCA of Greater St. Paul
• Neighborhood House and others

Q: Is postsecondary education more important today than it was in the past? If so, why?

A: The program will provide a path for more students to help themselves achieve the education that is now essential for a sustainable career in our society. For the past 100 years, our nation’s vision of citizenship, democratic participation and the good of society fostered an expectation of free public education through the 12th grade. The 21st century has ushered in an era of rapidly changing technology and a dramatically changed economy—an era that requires higher education for a person to prosper.

Q: Are there other compelling reasons why higher education is needed now and in the future?

A: The new “knowledge economy” demands higher skill levels, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and strong communication skills. When people are locked into low-paid jobs or welfare, this means a loss for the economy, a cost to society and a huge personal setback for individuals and their families. Most careers that will comfortably support a family will require some form of postsecondary education. Also, college graduates earn substantially higher incomes than employees with less education.