Keith Cotroneo: EZStart scholarship program offered at MCTC

The challenges of today's economy force us all to evaluate our positions in many aspects of our lives. In order to stay ahead of the game, we need to take control of the elements of life that have the most influence on our future. One of those areas is education. Statistics clearly show a strong, positive relationship between a college education and higher personal income.

Marshall Community and Technical College recently instituted a free scholarship program designed to introduce new and potential students to the college experience. This new scholarship program makes a college education within the reach of many more potential students.

EZStart is a scholarship that allows first-time adult college students to receive an introductory college course at no cost to the student. The initial roll-out of the scholarship occurred during the current winter term.

Cynthia Morrison from Ona has the goal of attaining a college degree so that she can benefit from higher salary potential. She was inquiring about studying for a regent's degree when she learned about the EZStart Scholarship.

"I am so happy to have the opportunity to pursue my degree. After being a stay-at-home wife at an early age, it's finally the right time to find out what I want to do with my life," Morrison said.

The intention of the EZStart Scholarship is to create an informative and beneficial experience for individuals to get initiated into college life. We have found that one of the biggest barriers to a college education is the question of how to get started. The EZStart Scholarship is designed to greatly simplify college admissions, introduce people to the college experience and give them the right start on what promises to be a lucrative career path. The students who have taken advantage of the scholarship to date have given positive feedback.

Donna Moore from Hurricane, W.Va., currently is employed in the Putnam County School System. Her goal is to receive an affordable college degree and was unsure how to get started. Moore was excited when she was told about the EZStart Scholarship by a friend and classmate.

"My friend always challenges me to go for what I want. She made me come to the EZStart program, and I am still thanking her for it," Moore said.

MCTC provides individuals with immense opportunity through one-year certificate programs, two-year associate degrees, specialized education and training programs, numerous continuing education opportunities and customized instruction such as the offerings of the MCTC Cooking and Culinary Institute and more. The EZStart Scholarship allows new and potential students to learn more about the many opportunities and education tracks available at no cost to them.

Each term at MCTC will include a limited number of EZStart Scholarships, so potential students are urged to take advantage quickly by calling MCTC at (866) N-ROLLED.

Keith Cotroneo is the president of Marshall Community and Technical College.