Gateway to Education

GATEWAY TO EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Alexander City Chamber Foundation is proud to provide the Gateway to Education Scholarship Assistance Program,  an education / workforce development initiative that provides up to 64 credit hours of free College tuition to Benjamin Russell High School graduating Seniors. The free tuition is available to students attending Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, AL.

Established in 2003, the Gateway to Education Scholarship Assistance Program continues to guarantee our young people the assurance of a K-14 education. The only scholarship program in Alabama totally funded by the generous donations of the community, Gateway to Education is a top quality attribute of living in Alexander City and the Lake Martin area. In addition, Gateway to Education is an integral part of  education and workforce development initiatives.

To be eligible for the Gateway to Education Scholarship, an individual must have graduated from Benjamin Russell High School:

• Graduates who reside in and have been home-schooled within the Alexander City School District are eligible if they participate in a program approved by the Alexander City Board of Education.
• Graduates of church-affiliated accredited, private schools located within the Alexander City School District and approved by the State are eligible.
• Have graduated within the last fifteen months.
• Have attended Benjamin Russell High School or be home-schooled or attend an accredited, private school for a period of twelve consecutive months ending with the student’s high school graduation.
• Submit proof of graduation.

Central Alabama Community College Admission Requirements

Program participants must meet all CACC general admission requirements to include:

• Complete and submit an application for admission.
• Provide official transcripts and test results as applicable.
• If the student has taken the ACT (American College Testing) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), assessment results should be submitted.  The College will administer the COMPASS test to students who have not taken the ACT or SAT, or to students who have not achieved a minimum score on these assessments.

The following requirements apply to students admitted to Central Alabama Community College and determined to be eligible to participate in the Gateway to Education program:
General Scholarship Provisions:

• Students must apply for all other scholarships and financial aid programs available through the college for which they qualify. All students must apply for a Pell Grant, regardless of family income. The Gateway to Education program will pay the tuition and fees or an amount up to the difference between the tuition and fees and the amount received by the student via other scholarships and / or financial aid programs.
• Students must enroll within fifteen months of the date of their high school graduation.
• Students may receive scholarship assistance for up to 64 credit hours which must be completed within 36 months from date of acceptance by CACC. Students must be enrolled at CACC exclusively.
• The Gateway to Education scholarships will only cover required courses in a student's major, (including core curriculum), and only those courses that count toward graduation.
• Any course that is offered in the student's curriculum on the Alexander City campus must be taken on that campus. Courses are allowed to be taken on the Childersburg campus only when the course is not taught on the Alexander City campus, and only when the course is required in the student's discipline.

Scholarship Maintenance Provisions

• Students must maintain a 2.0 overall grade point average to remain eligible for scholarship assistance. A student will be ineligible for the continuation of the scholarship assistance program whenever their overall grade point average falls below this minimum requirement. The student may reapply for the scholarship once his / her grade point average is back up to 2.0

Representative Betty Carol Graham supports Gateway to Education with a $2,000.00 donation secured through her efforts from the State Executive Commission on Community Services Grants.  Receiving the check is Susie Kelley, President of the Alexander City Chamber Foundation.