In a brief ceremony, the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, the Riverland Community College Foundation, and the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency (A.L.E.D.A.) introduced the new Freeborn County Community Promise Scholarship to students at Albert Lea High School.
Thanks to this new scholarship, seniors in Freeborn County high schools can now attend Riverland Tuition-free after graduation; if they fulfill the requirements, graduates of the class of 2024 are eligible to enroll in any program at any Riverland campus. The Community Promise Scholarship, available as a last-dollar option, covers up to 65 tuition credits not covered by other funding sources. This will eliminate the need for tuition for the majority of Riverland programs.
About The Riverland College Freeborn County Community Promise Scholarship
The president of Riverland, Kat Linaker, remarked, “This is an amazing opportunity for Freeborn County high school graduates to continue their education without the financial burden of tuition costs.” “I am motivated by the efforts of the Riverland Foundation and the companies, foundations, and people that banded together to support this opportunity for our county’s kids to change their lives. Their cooperation and generosity allow Riverland to train the workforce of tomorrow.
In addition to Albert Lea High School graduates, students from Freeborn County who reside in Alden Conger High, Glenville Emmons High, and New Richland, Hartland, Ellendale, Geneva (N.R.H.E.G.) will also be eligible for the award.
Visit the university’s website for additional details regarding the Freeborn County Community Promise Scholarship.Â
Eligibility for the Community Promise Scholarship offered by Freeborn County
- Residents of Freeborn County are required to be students.
- Students must have graduated from a Freeborn County high school in 2024. Residents and graduates of Albert Lea High, Alden Conger High, Glenville Emmons High, and New Richland, Hartland, Ellendale, Geneva (NRHEG) are included in this.
- By the end of their senior year, students need to have fulfilled AT LEAST ONE of the following requirements:
- Attain a minimum of 2.5 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on the ACT composite score of eighteen or more
- ASVAB score of thirty-one or more
- MCA MCA Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment reading score of 1042 or higher and math score of 1132 or higher
- Students must be in good academic standing at Riverland Community College and enrolled as degree-seeking students in an authorised programme of study.
- What is covered by this scholarship?
- Only Riverland Community College is eligible to accept the Freeborn County Community Promise Scholarship. In addition to online courses, Riverland has campuses in Austin, Albert Lea, and Owatonna.
- In order to be eligible for the scholarship, graduates of the Class of 2024 must enrol at Riverland during the academic year that follows their high school graduation. (Fall, Summer, Spring)
- After graduation, students will have three years to apply for the award. Spring 2027 will be the final semester in which members of the Class of 2024 are eligible.
- Up to 65 credits will be available to students. Further credits will be the student’s obligation.
- Use of the scholarship is restricted to Riverland degree-seeking students. Students who are visiting or not pursuing a degree are not eligible.
- Every year that they are enrolled, students must submit the Dream Act application or the FAFSA.
- The award is NOT available to students who did not graduate from any of the aforementioned high schools and are not citizens of Freeborn County. Students who homeschool are not accepted.
What is the scholarship worth?
Up to 100% of the student’s tuition and fees including those covered by the NorthStar Promise Scholarship and other scholarships that are not covered by federal, state, or local awards will be covered by the scholarship.
Because of this, in order to be eligible for the award, each student must submit the FAFSA. The student’s tuition balance is the primary target of other funding sources, with this scholarship making up the shortfall.
About Riverland College
Austin, Minnesota is home to Riverland Community College, a public university. The facility is situated in a community where 3,494 students are enrolled overall. The academic year at the school is structured around semesters. The ratio of teachers to students is 23 to 1. An associate degree is the highest degree that Riverland Community College offers. The school grants credit for life experiences and maintains an open admissions process.
Programs that start with a personalized, student-focused approach to learning that matches specific career goals, enhances knowledge and skills, and offers a fulfilling experience are extremely valuable to equity-minded students of all ages. The estimated costs of attendance based on students attending full time (15 credits each semester) is Estimated to be $24,906.00. How Riverland College can be considered as an affordable college when compared with the 10 Most Expensive Colleges in the US.