Etowah County: East Broad, Valley Street and Wallace Drive campuses in Gadsden, Ala.
Gadsden State, Chambers partner for scholarships
During the summer, Gadsden State Community College formed a partnership with three area Chambers of Commerce that provided an educational benefit to members of each Chamber and their employees.
Three signing events were held with the Chambers of Commerce in Etowah County, Calhoun County and Cherokee County. The Memorandums of Understanding detailed the Buy One Get One Free Scholarship Program, which includes a free course for each paid course at Gadsden State.
“Because we are a community college, community comes first,” said Dr. Kathy Murphy, president. “This BOGO Scholarship will provide half of your courses to you with no tuition expense.”
Murphy said the BOGO Scholarship announcement coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Alabama Community College system.
“This is part of the continued commitment that Gadsden State has made to support the vision of the ACCS, our state and our community,” she said.
The BOGO program began the fall semester 2023. It has been continued for the spring and summer semesters 2024 so far.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a full- or part-time employee of The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah County, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce or the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce or an employee of a chamber member
- Can be used for programs resulting in a certificate or an associate degree
- Must be in good academic standing with any previously-attended college
- Must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA to remain eligible for scholarship
STEPS TO APPLY
- Request a letter from their employer on company letterhead. Students who received previous BOGO funding are not required to resubmit a letter. The letter must be submitted by first-time BOGO requestors, and it must contain:
- Re: GSCC / Chamber Scholarship
- Employee’s Name
- Gadsden State Student ID Number (if known)
- Company Name
- Verification of Current Employment
- Apply for admission to Gadsden State (if not already a student)
- Register for classes for the upcoming semester
- A form that can be obtained on OneACCS from the Gadsden State website must be submitted. A link is also provided on www.GadsdenState.edu/BOGO. The form requires an attached letter from the employer and a class schedule. Students must be registered for classes before submitting the form so that BOGO funds may be applied appropriately.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- BOGO Scholarship cannot be combined with any other institutional aid, tuition discounts or specialized package pricing due to other MOUs.
- Books, fees and other costs associated with the free course are the responsibility of the employee.
- The scholarship is not retroactive.
- Gadsden State and each Chamber partner will monitor the performance of the BOGO Scholarship Program and revise as necessary.
- Representatives from the College and each Chamber will meet at least, but not limited to, once per semester. These meetings will serve to discuss and agree upon any proposed changes, problems or items that need to be updated or corrected.
- Each involved party reserves the right to terminate the program upon reasonable notice.
The public will be notified of any changes to the BOGO Scholarship Program. Visit www.GadsdenState.edu/BOGO for detailed information. Questions about the BOGO Scholarship? Email admissions@gadsdenstate.edu.
