The First Generation College Student Initiative at MCC
Welcome
Welcome to the MCC Foundation's First Generation College Student Initiative webpage. The mission of the First Generation College Student Initiative (FGCSI) is to formulate a college mindset in local students and their parents during students' primary and secondary school experience to foster college aspirations and preparations, concentrating on students from the 4th through the 12th grades, and to improve those students' success in getting to college and through college.
What is the FGCSI?
The goal of the First Generation College Student Initiative is to ensure that young people in McLennan County who exhibit financial need and high merit and whose parents have never attended college are indoctrinated into a college-bound mindset as early as 4th grade. Of particular focus will be traditionally underserved populations in the African-American and Hispanic communities.
The program includes:
- College-focused presentations to students and parents beginning in the 4th grade to plant the seeds of college education aspirations, combined with college readiness presentations throughout middle and high school.
- College-focused information and outreach will be distributed through schools, churches, and youth programs in underserved segments of the community.
- Up to 18 students will be selected each year to receive $4,000 scholarships to assist with tuition, fees, and books for two years at MCC.
- Students chosen for the FGCSI will participate in college preparatory courses on the MCC campus during the summer prior to the freshman year. These courses will include study skills, time management, financial literacy, and exposure to volunteerism/philanthropy.
- Students chosen for the FGCSI program will be matched with a sophomore mentor to provide support and guidance during the first year of college. And become mentors for incoming freshmen their sophomore year.
- Students who successfully complete the 2-year FGCSI program may be eligible for scholarships for their 3rd and 4th years of college.
How do I apply for the FGCSI program?
- Prospective students who wish to participate in the FGCSI program should fill out the MCC Foundation Scholarship application.
- MCC will begin accepting online scholarship applications in October for the 2009-2010 school year. Completed applications must be submitted by 6 p.m. on January 20, 2009 (no exceptions). No paper applications will be accepted. Official transcripts are also required to be submitted and they must be delivered to the MCC Financial Aid Office on or before January 20, 2009.
- The MCC Scholarship Committee will select approximately 30 finalists who must complete a placement test and a writing sample. Cost of the placement test will be covered for finalists.
- Selection is based on first-generation status and potential for success in college, gauged by high school grades, placement test scores, and quality of the writing sample.
- Selection criteria will include an awareness of current events.
- Two reference letters supporting your application. Reference letters will be submitted online with the scholarship application may be written by your minister, teacher, principal, employer or family friend but may not be submitted by a relative.
- Scholarship recipients will be notified by May 1, 2009. Students chosen for the program will be required to participate in an orientation session in May and six credit hours of college preparatory coursework at MCC during the summer prior to their freshman year. Summer obligations include four hours of activities daily for both summer sessions.
Contacts
Ameenah Shabazz-Snow, FGCSI Coordinator, (254) 299-8597 or ashabazz@mclennan.edu
