Assiniboine helping to clear a path to education and jobs

The college announced two new initiatives today that will help adult students finish their high school diploma and assist them as they move on to post-secondary studies.

For the next two years, the college is waiving application fees for students applying to enrol in the Mature Student High School (MSHS) program, which it offers at its campuses in Brandon and Dauphin as well as in partnership with communities throughout Manitoba.

“We want to eliminate as many barriers as possible to help connect individuals to education pathways,” said Deanna Rexe, vice-president, academic at Assiniboine. “Manitoba lags behind the majority of Canada in terms of high school completion rates. Our college has an important role to play in narrowing this gap.”

Prior to now, there was a $75 fee to apply to the program. The ACC Foundation is supporting the college’s efforts with a $16,000 contribution to help cover the fees over the trial period.

This past academic year, 455 students were enrolled in the college’s MSHS program, and 81 students graduated with a high school credential.

“In addition to the commitment the Foundation has made to support the college’s application fee waiver, we wanted to increase our efforts to make college education more accessible for mature students who choose to continue their studies,” said Tammy Johannson, president of the ACC Foundation board.

As a result, proceeds from the Foundation’s Legacy Gala Dinner on March 23 will go towards growing the college’s entrance awards for MSHS graduates who are entering post-secondary programs. This will provide full tuition scholarships for at least ten students. Last year, the gala raised more than $30,000.

“The good news is that around a third of those students who finish their high school studies with us choose to continue directly on to a college program in the fall,” said Assiniboine president Mark Frison. “It’s powerful to think that in a two- or three-year period, some individuals will go from not having a high school diploma to becoming a college graduate.”

According to a 2015 economic impact study by Economic Modelling Specialists Inc, the average diploma graduate from Assiniboine will earn an additional $11,700 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma.

“Education attainment, whether secondary or post-secondary, is a key determinant of labour market participation, income and health,” said Frison.

For more information about the Mature Student High School program, visit assiniboine.net/mshs.