Valerie Lopez, Grand Marsh, is the winner of a $500 scholarship through Mid-State’s Cougar Kick-Start enrollment events this summer. Lopez applied to Mid-State and enrolled at the event this summer and was chosen via random drawing for the award. 

Mid-State’s “Cougar Kick-Start” enrollment events were offered throughout the summer for anyone wanting to quickly get their education on track, whether they never finished the enrollment process or took a break after starting at Mid-State. The scholarship was funded by the Mid-State Technical College Foundation, Inc.

“I was excited when I heard I won the scholarship, and I was surprised because many people attended the event,” said Lopez, who started in the Cosmetology program this fall. “I am the first person in my family to go to college, so this scholarship means a lot to me. It will help me juggle school, work and being a mom.”

Mid-State will offer additional Cougar Kick-Start events this fall to help people get on the path to a degree. Each event takes place from 4 – 6 p.m. on the following campuses and dates:

• Stevens Point Campus: Tuesday, Oct. 11
• Marshfield Campus: Wednesday, Oct. 19
• Wisconsin Rapids Campus: Wednesday, Nov. 9
• Adams Campus: Thursday, Nov. 10. 

Participants will again be automatically entered to win a $500 scholarship, with a winner drawn after the final event this fall.

Cougar Kick-Start helps people complete the entire Mid-State admissions process from application to enrollment, including meeting face-to-face with staff to complete the Mid-State application and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), prepare for the Accuplacer, enroll in classes with the help of an advisor and take an optional tour of campus. According to Mid-State Admissions Specialist Brooke Brewbaker, the event is intended to help students that may have once started but never completed their educational pursuit, but any potential students wanting guided assistance throughout the admissions process are welcome.

“Cougar Kick-Start is proving to be a powerful full-service event that meets students where they are in the process,” Brewbaker said. “We look forward to offering additional dates and another scholarship drawing this fall so people can confidently take the next step to achieving their educational goals and find success in career and life.” 

Learn more and register at mstc.edu/cougar-kick-start.