Guest Commentary :
IHL College Fair provides answers
BY WALTER BECKER, JR., CCIM
As demands for education and training continue to increase in our information-based economy, few would dispute the value of a college education. Many Mississippians, though, have no idea how to make the dream of college education a reality.
The sixth annual IHL College Fair, which will take place at the Mississippi Trade Mart on November 16th and 17th, is the ideal place to learn about the value, affordability, and accessibility of a public university education in Mississippi. The IHL College Fair is provided as a service to the state, through corporate sponsors and the IHL system, to expose higher education to this young generation and help them understand the reality that college is a possibility. The IHL College Fair also provides valuable resources on ways to fund a college degree.
Participants at the IHL College Fair will have the opportunity to talk directly with university leaders, university students, faculty, and staff about the college experience, as well as to learn about degrees available. Attendees can also receive information on financial aid, career planning, and ways to apply to Mississippi’s public universities.
Another service offered to students at the IHL College Fair is the opportunity to receive a scholarship. At least 38 scholarships will also be awarded at the fair this year, each worth $500 toward any college expenses. Applications for the scholarship competition are available in high school counselors’ offices or on the IHL website at www.mississippiuniversities.com under “Special Reports.” Completed applications will be due at the fair.
In addition, three lucky winners will each receive a grand prize of a year of free textbooks at any of Mississippi’s public universities. The winner will be chosen in a raffle of all students attending the College Fair and registered for the raffle.
An evening session targeted to parents, with concurrent seminars on “Financial Aid for Parents” and “How Can I Prepare My Child for College?” will be available to the public on November 16th from 5-7:30 p.m. A light supper will be provided free to the first 300 persons to arrive for the evening seminars. The IHL College Fair will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. both days for parents and students.
Helping provide these services are the sponsors of this year’s IHL College Fair: The Clarion-Ledger, AmFed Companies, AmSouth Bank, Bancorp South, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mississippi, Edamerica, Education Services Foundation (ESF), Mississippi Affordable College Savings Program (MACS), Trustmark National Bank, and USA Funds.
For more information on the IHL College Fair, please contact the IHL Office of Public Affairs at 601-432-6493. DBJ
(Walter Becker, Jr., CCIM, has served as chair of the Institutions of Higher Learning Inter-Alumni Council for all five previous IHL College Fairs.)
