Mobile County Public Schools students received a record $250 million in college scholarships today.
Through a new state-wide initiative from Alabama Possible, students were invited to apply to multiple colleges in- and out-of- state through a portal. They were “matched” with admissions offers and scholarship dollars today.
From MCPSS’s 12 high schools, 1,198 seniors received 12,082 admissions offers and $250 million in scholarships from Alabama colleges and universities.
Acceptance and scholarship figures are expected to increase on Oct. 20, when the students will hear back from out-of-state colleges and universities.
MCPSS leads Alabama with today’s scholarship offers.
“This is a game-changer,” said Dr. Monica Motley, Director of School Counseling Services for Mobile County Public Schools. “This is going to make it easier for students to have access to higher education.”
It is also a confidence-booster for students who may have doubted whether they would be accepted to college or who were concerned about how to pay for it. Last year, 650 MCPSS students who received college scholarships were the first in their families to attend college.
“This lets our students know that they have what it takes to go to college,” Dr. Motley said.
Dr. Motley credited school counselors and teachers for encouraging their students to apply.