Midland University and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands have announced a collaborative partnership that will open more doors for high school students across the area to earn a college education.
The partnership will provide increased college accessibility opportunities for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands youth. Midland will offer students who are Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands members a $21,000 scholarship per year, while the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands will provide those same students an additional $10,000 scholarship per year. The combined $31,000 per year scholarship will cover nearly 90 percent of a student’s tuition before any other outside scholarships or grants are applied. Midland University and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands will work with each student individually to pursue additional funding opportunities with the goal of creating a tuition-free college experience.
Jermaine Jones, Chief Career Navigation Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, envisions the partnership creating new avenues for students to make college a more affordable option. “The partnership between Midland University and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is a great opportunity for our Club members to obtain a great post-secondary education at a minimal cost,” Jones said. “A quality college education does not have to cost a tremendous amount of money, and this partnership proves just that. At Midland University, our Club members are ensured to receive valuable support and access to resources while striving to achieve their individual education goals. We are extremely excited about this partnership and look forward to creating many success stories.”
One of the driving forces for the partnership was the aligned missions of both institutions. The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is “To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, healthy, and caring members of society.” Midland University’s mission is “To inspire people to learn and lead in the world with purpose.”
According to Merritt Nelson, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing at Midland, this is an ideal match. “You have two organizations with different histories and backgrounds, but with similar missions, goals, and core values, and we are working together to create opportunities for young people,” Nelson said. “This partnership will allow these students to attend Midland and receive everything we have to offer. Beyond a quality education, they will have opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities, take advantage of the support system we have in place, and have a four-year experience that will put them on a successful path for the rest of their lives. This partnership will change lives and positively impact society.”
