Century College Introduces Power of YOU at Area High Schools

Free college tuition will become a reality next year for many 2015 high school seniors attending White Bear Lake High School, North St. Paul High School, Irondale High School, and Mounds View High School. With the introduction of Power of YOU program through Century College, qualifying students at these high schools will be able to complete a two-year degree at no cost.

Dean of Student Services, Jason Cardinal, leads Power of YOU at Century College. “For many students, cost can be THE deterrent to pursuing a college degree, and financing your education can be intimidating and confusing. Power of YOU makes it simple.” Cardinal adds, “Through a combination of federal financial aid options and private scholarships, Power of YOU covers the cost of tuition and fees for two years or up to 72 credits.”

The additional benefit of Power of YOU is the support that students receive during their college education. “This includes targeted orientation sessions, advising on academic plans, tutoring and academic support, and collaboration with each student’s faculty member. In Power of YOU, students have a team to support them at each step of the way.” Students will also benefit from their participation in a cohort. “Each semester, students will have several opportunities to participate in Success Seminars, community service events, campus activities, and meetings with Power of YOU staff.” shares Cardinal.

Power of YOU originated in 2006 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Saint Paul College and Metropolitan State University and was originally focused on the Minneapolis and Saint Paul school districts. The program has now expanded to include many additional high schools. Thousands of students that have participated in the successful program have graduated with a college degree.

“One of the main reasons we wanted to bring Power of YOU to Century College was its excellent record of success,” states Cardinal. “The program is about access to educational opportunity. It is an investment in student potential. The message of Power of YOU is clear: if you are willing to work hard, be resilient, and make use of your resources, you can succeed. We can help you get there.”

For more information visit the Power of YOU program at Century College.