The C2C Program is a one-of-a-kind initiative specifically designed to help Mississippi working adults improve their lives by earning a degree. If you’ve heard about the program before, you might immediately think of the C2C Grant and the financial support it provides qualifying students. However, there is so much more to the program!

Just like there are more obstacles beyond finances that keep working adults from returning to college, there’s much more to the C2C Program than the renewable $1,000 Grant. Here, we’ll take a closer look at these specific resources and tools that make this program so impactful.

C2C Coaches

One of the most impactful aspects of the C2C Program is the team of committed C2C Coaches. These experienced professionals are there to support you in realizing your dream of earning a degree – from admissions through enrollment and all the way to graduation.

In the beginning, your coach will provide a transcript evaluation to help you make the most of the credits you have earned and determine the quickest path to a degree based on your goals and objectives. They’ll review your objectives, discuss relevant degree options, and identify any courses you’ve taken and credits you’ve earned that can be applied to your desired degree.

As you progress through any required coursework needed to graduate, your coach will be there. These knowledgeable experts can connect you with all the resources at your school and beyond from virtual and in-person tutoring support to transportation and even childcare. Based on your circumstances, they can even refer you to other state resources that can provide assistance like the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS).

What C2C Graduates Are Saying

Nobody understands the value of a C2C Coach more than previous C2C students. Here are some testimonials from successful graduates about the impact of this unwavering support. Here are just three examples:

• “Kristi Dearing and the C2C program were exactly what I needed – they listened to what my goals were, then showed me how to apply what I had already accomplished [so that I could pursue my master’s degree].” – Zetella Gooch

• “Dr. Wilson and the C2C team were real advocates for me. They were always there for me each step of the way, making sure I did what I needed to do.”– Kim Sims

• “Emily Tucker…was amazing. She went at my speed, and told me about the C2C program, the C2C Grant, and asked me what I wanted to study. She was there every step of the way through this process.”– Jemeikah Jones

Considering an Option Few Thought They Had

Many Mississippi adults considering re-enrollment have attended multiple institutions, starting their studies at a community college to complete core requirements before transferring to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree.

If this was your experience but for one reason or another you did not come away with a degree, a reverse transfer may be one of the options explored through the C2C Program. This option allows you to transfer university credits earned back to the community college you previously attended so you can apply them towards an associate degree. A C2C Coach can help coordinate this process. 

The total number of credits you have earned will determine how many classes you need to complete to earn the degree. In some cases, you might have everything you need for an associate degree already! With this new degree under your belt, you can continue on to a bachelor’s degree program or enter the workforce with a more impressive resume.

A Degree Offering Just for Returning Students

If you attended a Mississippi university in the past and came away with a significant number of earned credit hours but fell short of fulfilling the requirements for a degree, the University Studies Degree could be perfect for you. This bachelor’s degree option is exclusive to adult students who qualify for the C2C program. It requires the necessary credits for a degree but offers greater flexibility in fulfilling core requirements and in the application of prior earned credits. 

Here are some of the main advantages of this option:

• Flexibility – You can enjoy the flexibility in the coursework accepted to fulfill core degree requirements such as math and science.
• Technical Credits – You can apply up to 30 hours of technical credits including those that you may have earned while working.
• Grade Forgiveness – If there were some courses you received less-than-ideal grades for in the past, you can eliminate them from your GPA calculation.

Your C2C Coach will guide you through the whole process and help you identify the most direct route to earning the University Studies Degree.

Tuition Assistance

The cost of a college education is a common challenge Mississippians face when thinking about returning to school. Some working adults are struggling to make ends meet and many still have balances to pay back from their last stint in college. To help these non-traditional students overcome financial obstacles, the C2C Program matches participants with a wide variety of educational funding 

FASFA – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) is a government-issued form that organizations, colleges, and federal and state governments use to offer financial aid to qualifying students. You can use the funding for nearly any college-related expense.

MAAPP – The Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP) is essentially the local version of FASFA that helps adult Mississippi students qualify for financial assistance within the state to make it easier to return to school.

C2C Grant – This renewable $1,000 grant is exclusive to the C2C Program and is available to qualifying adult learners. It’s designed to help qualifying students cover the cost of tuition and related expenses and can even help pay down past debt owed to Mississippi college or university.

School Specific Support Offerings

Between managing work, family, and school, non-traditional adult students face a lot of challenges that conventional students simply don’t experience. Since the C2C Program’s intention is to help adult learners return to school, we can help connect students with a wealth of resources being offered by Mississippi’s colleges and universities to help overcome these barriers. Our C2C Coaches can help make you aware of these resources and support you in taking advantage of them. Here are just a few examples:

Completely Online Programs – Online classes are incredibly helpful when completing your degree around an already hectic schedule. Some colleges go a step further by offering entire programs online. This way, you can complete your whole degree virtually. This is an excellent choice for students who aren’t located near an institution or for those without the time to visit campus regularly.

Virtual Tutoring – Even with the best teachers, you’re bound to have questions about your coursework every once in a while. With family and work to worry about, you really don’t have the time to stay after class or visit during office hours to discuss with your teacher. That’s where virtual tutoring comes in handy. Many Mississippi colleges offer free tutoring online so you can get the answers you need no matter where you are!

Flexible Payment Plans – Colleges throughout Mississippi understand the financial challenges facing adult learners. In addition to many scholarships, grants, and other forms of tuition assistance, many schools offer flexible payment plans. The specifics vary between institutions, but the plans allow students to spread out their payments over longer periods of time to lessen the burden of tuition.

On-Campus Childcare – Many adult learners are busy raising a family while returning to college. Some Mississippi universities and colleges have made an extra effort to accommodate non-traditional students with children by offering on-campus childcare. Anytime you need to attend class or an extracurricular activity, you can easily drop your child off so you can remain engaged.

C2C is the key to completing your degree

Now, you have a better idea of the true value the C2C Program offers adult learners. But this is just scratching the surface! If you’re eager to return to school to complete your degree, this is the ideal program for you. You’ll get paired with a committed C2C Coach who will work with you one-on-one to determine the quickest and most efficient path towards graduation based on your specific circumstances. You might even qualify for the C2C Grant to receive some financial support to cover the cost of tuition.

Connect with a C2C Coach today to see just how close you are to graduation.