Butler County seventh and eighth grade students and their parents may be eligible for a two-year college tuition waiver.

“LBW Community College is partnering with GEAR UP Alabama (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) for students in Butler County schools,” said LBWCC Dean of Student Affairs Jason Jessie. “The tuition waiver commitment from the Alabama Community College System was pledged by Chancellor Dr. Mark Heinrich for GEAR UP students, and he extended the same offer to their legal guardians. We are excited to be a part of this important educational opportunity.”

GEAR UP focuses on helping students pursue education and training beyond high school, and is a statewide initiative coordinated by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Over the next seven years, 50 Alabama schools in 17 counties in the Black Belt will participate, including schools in McKenzie, Georgiana and Greenville.

Parent Scholar Night informational meeting to be held May 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wendell Mitchell Conference Center on the campus of LBW in Greenville. Free childcare will be provided.

Parents will learn more about the tuition waiver eligibility and support systems in place to assist them with gaining admission to LBWCC, including GED preparation.

Parents will also have the opportunity to visit booths set up for one-on-one conversations with representatives from several departments, including admissions, financial aid, adult education (GED prep), and Student Support Services, a federal program geared to helping students successfully complete a college credential.

“To help make the event more accessible, free child care will be provided,” said Jessie. “This is such an important opportunity to learn about this remarkable program, we want all parents of seventh and eighth grade students in McKenzie, Georgiana and Greenville to attend.”

For more information, contact Heather Owen at 334-881-2282.