Pearl River Community College is currently accepting applications for their summer Bridge to College Program.

For the past 10 years, PRCC’s Student Support Services has held the four-week educational program on the main campus in Poplarville to prepare students for college.

“Since we’re open admissions at PRCC, we get a lot of students who aren’t academically prepared for college so this program helps them make a successful transition from high school to college,” said Dr. Robert Escudero, Student Support Services director.

The Student Support Services program aims to provide academic support and counseling for students to be successful in higher education. The federally funded summer program is just one of the many tools the school utilizes to guide students in the right direction, Escudero said.

The summer program starts Thursday, June 25 and lasts until Thursday, July 23. It offers students a chance to receive nine college credit hours during the four-week session, which will take place four days a week on campus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., said Georgia Field, Student Support Services coordinator.

Students enrolled in the program don’t have to pay tuition but will need to cover expenses such as housing and books. Applying for the federal Pell Grant can help students cover some of those costs, Escudero said.

Students qualify for the summer program if they have low academic performance, low-income, a disability or are a first-generation college student.

“If a student meets any of those qualifications, they’re considered at a disadvantage and at a high risk of dropping out of college so our aim is to help these students stay in school,” Escudero said.

The program offers classes in English, math and a course on community college survival skills taught in a small classroom setting.

During the program, staff and instructors focus on getting to know each student individually, Escudero said.

“We really want to get to know these kids and them to know us so it’s important for us to do fun activities with them during the session to help motivate them,” Escudero said.

The deadline to apply for the program is Tuesday, June 23. Students can contact Student Support Services to receive an application in-person, through e-mail or postal mail.

For more information, contact Field at (601) 403-1469 or Cindy Tanguis at (601) 403-1285.