A proposed scholarship will help graduates in Freeborn County earn a free education at the Riverland – Albert Lea Tribune

The plan is a new initiative that could provide two years of free community college education to graduates of Albert Lea, Glenville-Emmons and Alden-Conger high schools.

The Freeborn County Community Promise’s hope is to encourage high school graduates to reach their career and educational goals while staying local and gaining experience in area businesses, said Janelle Koepke, dean of educational development with Riverland Community College.

Koepke and Albert Lea Economic Development Agency director Phillip Johnson presented executive learning that is a partnership between Riverland, ALEDA, the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, business and industry partners, and three high schools — in a workshop with. Freeborn County Board of Commissioners last week.

Koepke said the guidelines for qualifying for the scholarship are still in the works, but current proposals require high school graduates to have either a GPA of 2.5 or higher, an ACT test score of 18 or higher, an ASVAB test score of 31 or higher or a yet-to-be-determined Accuplacer test score. Students must be graduates of one of the three higher education institutions and begin attending Riverland within the year of their graduation.

He said that the criteria can change the funds to support the scholarship, and the goal will always be to establish the rules so that as many students as possible can access the scholarship. Depending on the funding release, the program could begin with the class of 2023 or the class of 2024. SStudents graduating prior to the initiation class will not be eligible for studies but will be encouraged to apply for other studies throughout the Riverland.

Through the Freeborn County Community Scholarship Program, students apply for funding by theme Free Application for Federal Student Aid program first, and the Community Scholarship Promise, to pick up the remaining gap not covered by federal or other student aid.

Students can attend any of the Riverland’s three campuses.

Flumenland offers more than 100 degree programs, careers in everything from automotive repair and transportation to construction, health, care, information technology, public health, liberal arts and sciences among others.

He said that he learned from other communities that are already similar in place and teaching in referenced The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship that supports 100 to 125 students per year and that has assisted 541 students since 2019. He said that the goal was to attract the discovery. first generation college students and people who never thought college was possible.

She also programs in Pine City and Red Wing.

Koepke said he hopes the program will help grow the local workforce.

Riverland is committed to career and community connections, he said, including programs to learn and earn with local businesses and other connections with Riverland programs and business partners. The College will encourage and encourage students in the Community Promise program to attend career exploration events each year, where scholarship contributors will be invited to pursue their careers and employment opportunities. Students will also be encouraged to participate in voluntary community activities to foster community engagement.

Koepke said he hopes the group will reach its funding goal of $308,000 for the first year, and the Riverside Foundation, ALEDA and the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce have already committed $80,000 per year for five years.

The second year’s goal is $535,000.

Contributors will be added to promoting studies, will be invited to explore career events and will be included in the fellowship wall at the Albert Lea campus.

Koepke said that now an average of about 57 students from all three major schools in the Riverland have attended in the fall each year after high school graduation starting in 2018. The goal is for the students to enroll 80 students per year.

Fifth District Commissioner Ted Herman asked if they could make it work for the students who completed the work in Albert Lea, and Koepke said while it may not be required, they will work to build roads and find a place to help students. himself in the course of his community.

First District Commissioner Brad Edwin also talked about additional NRHEG students who live in the county.

Johnson said he wants the initiative to include all counties. This will be an investment not only in the youth in the county, but also in the families that look here.

He said his goal is to get the initiative rolling, but to keep it running, which is most likely the terms of the institutions that are interested, so that the institution is incorporated every year in their budgets.

At the end of the day, the program for him was nothing more than strengthening the care or the care or the care of the care, and serving as a package to help promote the benefit of the community. He was excited about the opportunity to help students learn more about the jobs available in their community.

Third District Commissioner John Forman said he was involved in three separate studies of students at the technical college level and asked if it would be beneficial to give those funds to other programs.

Johnson said the directors would love it if she worked for their program.

District 2 Commissioner Dan Belshan said it’s good for students to have “skin in the game,” and Koepke said the scholarship is for tuition, but doesn’t include books and fees, as well as living expenses.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the program or making a contribution can contact Koepke at [email protected]