Mississippi College Fairs Encourage Students to Explore Postsecondary-Education Options

A series of upcoming USA Funds^®-sponsored college fairs in Mississippi will encourage the state’s high-school students to pursue higher education by increasing their awareness of the college-application and financial-aid processes. The fairs also are an opportunity for students to meet with representatives from Mississippi’s postsecondary-education institutions.

 “We recognized a gap in the college-fair system in Mississippi,” says Gretchen Cook, editor and publisher of Parents and Kids Magazine, a Mississippi-based publication that hosts the college fairs. “The large high schools were having huge turnouts from colleges, while the small, rural schools were not. With these regional fairs, all students in Mississippi have the same opportunity to meet with college recruiters and learn more postsecondary-education opportunities in Mississippi.”

USA Funds awarded the organization $40,000 to sponsor the college fairs and the Parents & Kids College Planner, a 36-page magazine with articles and helpful information that address college preparation and planning. USA Funds has supported the fairs and planner for four consecutive years.

“These college fairs offer Mississippi students the opportunity to learn more about their postsecondary-education options and the financial aid that is available to them — all in one location,” says Kyle Malone, USA Funds manager, access and outreach. “USA Funds recognizes the need to enhance postsecondary-education attainment in Mississippi, and we are pleased to be a part of this initiative.”

The four regional college fairs provide one-stop shopping for college and financial-aid information. The fairs offer details to students and parents about the various options for postsecondary education and how to pay for a college education. Participants can meet financial-aid professionals and other representatives from Mississippi’s public and private colleges and universities, and community colleges, as well as student-loan providers and financial advisers.

Those in attendance receive a free copy of the Parents & Kids College Planner. Additionally, all high schools in Mississippi receive copies to distribute to their students.

Since their inception in 2004, the Parents & Kids college fairs have experienced steady growth. More than 9,000 students are expected to attend the 2007 college fairs. In 2006, 92 high schools and 54 postsecondary or financial-aid institutions participated, with more than 8,000 students visiting a fair and receiving college information.

The 2007 college fairs are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates in the following cities:

• Sept. 19-20 — Jackson.
• Sept. 27 — Tupelo. 
• Oct. 17-18 — Greenwood. 
• Nov. 6-7 — Hattiesburg.