Mesa high school students can apply for funds and support services of the Mesa College Promise program March 1 through July 15, 2023. Mesa College Promise is a commitment from the City of Mesa to its residents that all eligible graduating Mesa high school students can attend Mesa Community College for two years with Arizona resident tuition and fees fully funded. Fall 2023 will welcome the third group of students into the program. Full details and a link to the application are available at mesacc.edu/mesa-promise.
Speaking Feb. 13 at Mesa Community College, the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, met with current Promise students, listening to some of their personal paths to higher education via the program. Dr. Biden recognized Mesa Mayor John Giles for his strong leadership in support of education and praised the partnership with Mesa Community College. In addition to the First Lady, Mayor and students, the gathering included the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona; Mesa Community College President, Dr. Tammy Robinson; Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs; Congressman Greg Stanton; Maricopa County Community College District Chancellor, Dr. Steven R. Gonzales; and MCCCD Governing Board members.
"We want every Mesa resident to have the opportunity to pursue an education and connect with meaningful career paths," said Mesa Mayor John Giles. "As businesses increasingly choose Mesa to locate and expand, the workforce opportunities for our residents will only continue to grow. The partnership between the City of Mesa and MCC combined with support from the business community is an effective model, and we appreciated the opportunity to share its success with the First Lady and Secretary Cardona. I encourage our city industry and business leaders to meet with me to explore how they might support this innovative and important program."
In introducing Dr. Biden, MCC Construction Management student Lilly Hernandez spoke of how Mesa College Promise positively impacted her life and her father's. Not wanting college loan debt, Lilly sought the guidance of her former high school vice principal, who assisted her with the application process. Inspired by his daughter, Lilly helped her father enroll in MCC and now they are both on paths to higher education.
"Many of our Mesa College Promise students are the first generation in their families to attend college, as I was," said MCC President Robinson. "These students often believe college is not for them and they don't know where they would find the money. The City of Mesa and our MCC team have led this state in providing students with the support services and the financial resources they need to reach their dreams of college and a sustaining career."
Students qualifying for the Mesa College Promise have financial needs, but they have not received enough Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds or other scholarships to completely cover the costs of college. Current high school students residing in Mesa who are earning a high school diploma from a public, private, charter, online or home schooling, including recipients of a state-accredited GED, are encouraged to complete the FAFSA and apply for the program beginning March 1. Eligibility includes a 2.0 or better high school GPA, Mesa residency and a commitment to taking a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Full details and the application link are available at mesacc.edu/mesa-promise.