Power of You Background FAQ

1. Q: What is the Power of You program?
A: Power of YOU is a program that makes the first two years of college available tuition free for students who graduate from a public high school in Minneapolis or Saint Paul in Spring 2009 and are a resident of Saint Paul or Minneapolis.
The program is a collaboration among Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC), Saint Paul College and Metropolitan State University that provides access to a broad spectrum of academic programs and career pathways.
The three colleges are working closely with the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, their school systems, community organizations and philanthropic organizations to support this program.

2. Q: Why was the program created?
A: Postsecondary education is required for success in today’s economic environment and global economy.  Minnesota’s fastest growing populations have the lowest high school graduation and postsecondary education participation rates. Students of color are significantly under-represented in Minnesota’s colleges and universities.  More than 72 percent of the students in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul public school districts are students of color (73 percent in Minneapolis and 72 percent in Saint Paul).
For example, according to a November 2004 Minnesota Citizen’s League report, “Trouble on the Horizon”, less than half of students of color graduate from high school on time, and only three percent of African American and American Indian students and five percent of Latino students will complete a bachelor’s degree before they are 25 years old.

3. Q: How is the program being funded?
A: Over $2,000,000 has already been secured for the Power of YOU program through generous gifts from Foundations, individuals and businesses. Approximately six million dollars will be raised from private and government grants to pilot the project for five years.  Partner institutions and community organizations will also support the initiative with an additional $2.8 million.

4. Q: Why was the Power of YOU program initiated?
A: The Power of YOU program will provide a path for more students to help themselves achieve the education that is now essential for a sustainable career in our society. The program was initiated to:

• Overcome the real and perceived financial barriers to a college education.
• Raise awareness that a college education is essential to earning a living wage.
• Increase the number of Minneapolis and Saint Paul public high school graduates who enroll in college and complete a degree.

5. Q: Does the program pay for anything more than tuition?
A: The program pays for tuition and mandatory fees, but does not cover books and living expenses. 

6. Q: What will the program demonstrate?
A: Through a combination of financial incentives, outreach, and support, the Power of YOU program will demonstrate that it is possible to raise the expectations and the achievement levels of urban students, prepare them for college, and put them on the path to productive careers and community involvement. 

7. Q: How will the program help Twin Cities businesses and the community at large?
A: The Power of YOU program not only benefits students and their families, but also Twin Cities businesses and the community at large. Businesses rely on a well-educated and well trained labor pool, however, a large segment of the workforce is not getting the education and training they need to be productive workers.  For this reason it is also supported by the Minnesota Business Partnership, a coalition of the 105 largest businesses in the state.  In addition, a new report by Minnesota’s Citizens League, “The Case for Higher Education” points out that the benefits of higher education are not limited to earnings. College graduates live longer, healthier lives than do individuals without a bachelor’s degree.  They experience lower unemployment, better working conditions, longer job tenure and more opportunities for professional development.  They can also do more to help to build their communities.

8. Q: Why were the three colleges chosen to launch the program?
A: The mission of MCTC, Saint Paul College, and Metropolitan State University, which are members of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is to serve the higher education needs of the diverse and growing population of the Twin Cities metro area. The colleges have a strong track record of serving urban residents and communities of color and are uniquely positioned to undertake the program.

9. Q: What community organizations are partnering to make the Power of YOU program available?
A: The program is a collaboration of MCTC, Saint Paul College, Metropolitan State University, the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Public Schools and these community partners:

• Achieve! Minneapolis
• African American Family Services
• Circle of Discipline
• Hennepin County
• Hospitality House Youth Directions
• Neighborhood House
• North Point Health and Wellness Center
• Page Education Foundation
• YMCA of Greater Saint Paul
• YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis
• YWCA – St. Paul
• and others

10. Q: Is postsecondary education more important today than it was in the past? If so, why?
A: The program will provide a path for more students to help themselves achieve the education that is now essential for a sustainable career in our society.” For the past 100 years, our nation’s vision of citizenship, democratic participation, and the good of society fostered an expectation of free public education through the 12th grade. The 21st century has ushered in an era of rapidly changing technology and a dramatically changed economy — an era that requires higher education for a person to prosper. 

11. Q: Are there other compelling reasons why higher education is needed now and in the future?
A:  The new “knowledge economy” demands higher skill levels, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and strong communication skills. When people are locked into low-paid jobs or welfare, this means a loss for the economy, a cost to society and a huge personal setback for individuals and their families. Most careers that will comfortably support a family will require some form of postsecondary education.  Also, college graduates earn substantially higher incomes than employees with less education.