Area officials announce historic tuition agreement

July 26, 2021

WAVELAND, MISS. – Area officials gathered Monday to announce a new tuition assistance program at Pearl River Community College that will benefit Hancock County residents. 

Spearheaded by Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, the workforce development effort was supported by PRCC, Hancock County Board of Supervisors and Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District.  

The new County Tuition Assistance Program (CTAP) will help fill any gap in tuition a student may face after all other grants and scholarships have been used. 

“This program is something we’ve worked on for several years and we are so grateful to the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commissioners, the Hancock County Board of Supervisors, and the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District for making it happen,” said Dr. Adam Breerwood, Pearl River Community College President. “The assistance provided by CTAP to students can eliminate the financial hurdles they face and in turn have life changing effects.” 

The Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission has committed $60,000 a year for the next two years to support CTAP.  

“An educated and skilled workforce is a stronger workforce,” said Derek Necaise, President of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission. “We work every day to bring the high-paying jobs of the future here to Hancock County. CTAP will help ensure our local community members are ready to perform those jobs.” 

CTAP is open to Hancock County residents enrolled at PRCC and provides assistance for four consecutive semesters. 

Funding for the scholarship was appropriated by the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission and approved by the Hancock County Board of Supervisors. Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District serves as the granting agency to provide funding to the college. 

“The County Tuition Assistance Program initiative, which in partnership with Pearl River Community College, diminishes barriers to higher education by providing tuition assistance to bridge the monetary gap between financial assistance and actual tuition costs,” said Dr. Jennifer Seal, Vice President for the Hancock Campus. “This initiative represents the priority placed on education by Hancock County leader and offers a successful pathway toward attaining college degrees resulting in better job opportunities.” 

Thanks to a similar agreement with the City of Hattiesburg and Forrest County, current and prospective students from Forrest County may be eligible for CTAP funds to cover tuition.   

For more information about the CTAP program including the application process, visit http://www.prcc.edu/financial-aid/ctap.  

### 

CUTLINE: PRCC County Tuition Assistance Program: HCPHC CEO Mr. Bill Cotter, Vice President of PRCC Hancock Campus Dr. Jennifer Seal, HCPHC Commissioner Mr. Bob Swanson, Hancock County Board of Supervisor President Mr. Scotty Adam, PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood, HCPHC President Mr. Derek Necaise, Hancock County Supervisor Mr. Kodie Koenenn, Assistant Vice President of PRCC Hancock Campus Dr. Raymunda Barnes, and PRCC Board Member Mr. Frank Ladner.