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A Community Like No Other

The Alexander City Chamber Foundation proudly provides the Gateway to Education Scholarship Assistance Program, an education/workforce development initiative that provides up to 64 credit hours of free college tuition to qualifying Benjamin Russell High School graduating Seniors. The free tuition is available to students attending Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, AL.

Established in 2002, the Gateway to Education Scholarship Assistance Program continues to guarantee our young people the assurance of a K-14 education. The only scholarship program in Alabama totally funded by the generous donations of the community.

Become a Gateway to Education partner today!

Gateway to Education Scholarship Program

To be eligible for the Gateway to Education Scholarship, an individual must:

  • Have graduated from Benjamin Russell High School

    • Graduates who reside in and have been home-schooled within the Alexander City School District are eligible if they participate in a program approved by the Alexander City Board of Education.

    • Graduates of church-affiliated accredited, private schools located within the Alexander City School District and approved by the State are eligible.

  • Have attended Benjamin Russell High School or be home schooled as in 'a' above or attend an accredited, private school as in 'b' above for a period of twenty-four consecutive months ending with the student's high school graduation.

  • Submit proof of graduation

Program participants must meet all CACC general admission requirements to include:

Central Alabama Community College Admission Requirements

  • Complete and submit an application for admission.

  • Provide official transcripts and test results as applicable.

  • If the student has taken the ACT (American College Testing) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), assessment results should be submitted. The College will administer the COMPASS test to students who have not taken the ACT or SAT, or to students who have not achieved a minimum score on these assessments.

SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

The following requirements apply to students admitted to Central Alabama Community College (CACC) and determined to be eligible to participate in the Gateway to Education Scholarship Assistance Program:

  • An application for the Gateway to Education Scholarship must be completely filled out online and submitted to the BHRS Counseling Office (Mrs. Hayes) or the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce no later than February 1, 2024. The online application can be found here, or by clicking the “Apply Here” button at the top of this page.

    • If you have any issues locating or submitting the application email or call the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce at info@alexandercitychamber.com or (256) 234-3461.

  • Failure to submit the application by the deadline, or the submission of an incomplete application, will result in the Gateway Scholarship being denied to the applicant.

  • Students must apply for all other scholarships and financial aid programs available through CACC for which they qualify prior to being awarded the Gateway Scholarship. The Gateway Scholarship will be subordinate to any other scholarship and/or financial assistance.

  • All students must apply for a Pell Grant.

  • The Gateway to Education program will pay the tuition and fees or an amount up to the difference between the tuition and fees and the amount received by the student via other scholarships and/or financial aid programs.

  • Beginning with students entering CACC for the fall 2020 semester, students must have graduated from Benjamin Russell High School (BRHS) with a 2.25 GPA minimum to enter a technical program as identified by CACC and with a 2.75 GPA minimum to enter an academic program as identified by CACC.

  • Students must enroll at CACC and be consecutively enrolled beginning with the fall semester immediately following graduation from BRHS. If, due to extenuating circumstances, a student cannot enroll as established above, an appeal may be made to the Chamber Foundation Board.

  • Only Fall and Spring semesters tuition and fees will be paid by the Gateway Scholarship Assistance Program.

  • Students may receive Gateway scholarship assistance for up to 64 credit hours which must be completed within 36 months following the initial enrollment to CACC.

  • Students will be allowed one change of program of study while completing the 64 credit hours within the 36 month period so long as the CACC GPA is compatible with the change in curriculum or course of study.

  • Student home addresses shall be verified with CACC at the beginning of each academic year.

  • Courses paid by the Gateway scholarship will be only those required for graduation in the student's major curriculum.

  • No remedial, transitional, development or repeat courses will be allowed under the scholarship.

  • Gateway scholarship recipients will document and verify by signature that no other scholarship has been awarded. Said document and verification shall be executed at the beginning of each academic year.

  • Gateway scholarship recipients must maintain a 2.25 GPA minimum to remain eligible for scholarship assistance in a career/technical program as identified by CACC and a 2.75 GPA minimum to remain eligible for an academic program as identified by CACC.

  • Any course that is offered in the student's curriculum on the Alexander City campus must be taken on that campus. Courses may be taken on other CACC campuses only when the course is not taught on the Alexander City campus, and only when the course is required in the student's discipline.