Thirty-four Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students received a total of $27,200 in scholarships through the Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association’s Round Up for Education program, made possible by the generosity of the cooperative’s participating members.

The Round Up for Education program was launched in 2012 as a cooperative effort to create educational opportunities and strengthen local communities. Each month, participating Pearl River Valley Electric members have their bills rounded up to the nearest dollar, with the difference—an average of about 50 cents per month—pooled into a fund that provides scholarships for members, their children, or spouses attending Mississippi community colleges.

The cumulative impact of these small contributions is remarkable, with the program now supporting hundreds of students each year across the state.

“We are deeply grateful to Pearl River Valley Electric and its members for investing in the success of our students,” said Dr. Suzi Brown, Vice President of Student Services, Enrollment Strategies, and Advancement at MGCCC. “Programs like Round Up for Education not only make college more accessible, but they also strengthen the workforce and help create brighter futures for families right here in our communities.”

To qualify for the scholarship, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours and classified as freshmen, having completed fewer than 30 hours of coursework. Each student scholar receives a total of $800 in scholarship funds, distributed in two installments of $400 for each semester during the academic year.

The MGCCC Foundation facilitates the Round Up for Education scholarships for Gulf Coast students, ensuring that every dollar supports educational access and opportunity.

For more information about scholarship opportunities at MGCCC, visit mgccc.edu/foundation.