Post from Community: MATC responds to COVID-19 stress by reopening Promise application window for high school class of 2020; Adult and high school Promise deadlines shared | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Area Technical College
February 24, 2021
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In response to stress on students brought on by the pandemic, Milwaukee Area Technical College is reopening the application window for the MATC Promise for New High School Graduates to include students from the Class of 2020 who have not yet attended college. Normally, the MATC Promise for New High School Graduates is only available to the current graduating high school class.
“We know students in the high school Class of 2020 face unprecedented economic, health and family challenges due to COVID-19, leading many students to delay starting college,” said Dr. Vicki J. Martin, MATC president. “In light of these extraordinarily difficult circumstances, we have decided to reopen the application process for those members of the Class of 2020 who have not started college at MATC or elsewhere after graduation. We hope this will provide a much-deserved opportunity to pursue their career goals for a better future.”
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The MATC Promise programs provide free tuition for eligible students. The cost of books, program fees and equipment is not covered. MATC offers two Promise programs. The MATC Promise for New High School Graduates, launched in 2015, was the first Promise program in Wisconsin. The MATC Promise for Adults was launched in 2018.
Application and criteria information:
The MATC Promise for New High School Grads final deadline is June 30, 2021. Graduates from the Classes of 2021 and 2020 who wish to enroll in summer school should apply by April 2, 2021.
Qualifications:
Graduates from the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020 must meet the following criteria:
— Be eligible for Pell Grants as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
— Earn a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in high school
— Graduate from a high school in the MATC District or live in the MATC District; Class of 2020 students may not have previously started college anywhere.
MATC Promise for Adults final deadline is Aug. 2, 2021; priority deadline for students who want to start in summer, are in loan default or want earlier consideration is May 3, 2021:
Qualifications:
— Be 24 years of age or older as of Dec. 31, 2021
— Live in the MATC District
— Have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $6,500 or less as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
— Have earned at least six college credits, but not have earned an associate or bachelor’s degree
— Have last attended college in May 2019 or earlier
Individuals must complete the MATC Promise for Adults interest application, the MATC High School Class of 2021 interest application or the MATC High School Class of 2020 interest application. All applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Full eligibility criteria and more information is available at matc.edu/promise.
The college is offering virtual information sessions for the MATC Promise and all of its programs at http://www.matc.edu/visit/matc-live.html.
Together, MATC’s Promise programs have served more than 2,000 qualified students. To date, nearly 250 students have completed an associate degree, technical diploma or certificate through one of the MATC Promise programs.
The MATC Promise is funded through a unique public-private partnership model that brings together federal and state financial aid resources with private donations that provide student scholarships to fill the gap between what aid provides and the cost of tuition.
Interested students and community partners can email matcpromise@matc.edu or call 414-297-6668.
Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. Nearly 35,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 150 academic programs; and transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 35 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.