COUNTRY Financial® and Heartland Community College Kick Off Early Scholars Program: Academic Program Provides Scholarships and Mentorship Opportunities for Area High School[...]

August 8, 2024

A group of McLean County high school juniors and seniors are taking significant steps to explore corporate career pathways that lead to an associate's degree at Heartland through their engagement in the COUNTRY Financial Scholars program. Ten students will receive career engagement and professional development opportunities from COUNTRY mentors, as well as scholarship funding to cover Heartland's tuition-bearing courses and any additional program fees like textbooks.

The COUNTRY Financial Scholars program provides scholarship assistance, mentorship, and technology support to high school students with demonstrated financial need. Participants will also benefit from the professional engagement opportunities, and college success coaching, helping them to clarify their college and career goals while still in high school, which can ultimately make their college experience more impactful.

"COUNTRY Financial is thrilled to partner with Heartland Community College again for this transformative early college scholarship initiative," said Carl Bridges, Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer at COUNTRY. "Programs such as these help to further the educational aspirations for area students; and provide a great benefit to the business community as well. The mentors from COUNTRY work closely with the students learn from a new generation of talent while sharing their professional expertise. It's a great experience all around."

This is the fourth year COUNTRY and Heartland have partnered for this program, with 32 students served. This early college scholarship initiative provides another avenue to remove barriers to education for area students.

"Heartland's College NOW programs have provided access for thousands of area high school students," said Heartland Community College Associate Vice President for Development and Community Engagement Chris Downing. "The support of COUNTRY Financial for this program opens a door for a number of students who are underrepresented in the early college access population. These scholarships will help motivated students reach their educational goals."

Visit heartland.edu/collegeNow to learn more about the COUNTRY Financial Scholars Program and Heartland's College NOW program.

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