Donors can literally design what they want in a scholarship program, and then fund the scholarship by donation to the McCook College Foundation. Perhaps you want to honor or establish a memorial to a special person in your life, advocate a specific field of academic study, and/or provide opportunity to students from a specific geographic area. The McCook College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, and all monies deposited with the Foundation to fund donor specified scholarships are tax deductible.

All donor specified scholarships are administered by the Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) Office of Student Financial Aid, including the application, selection, and award processes. The Foundation receives funds from the donor, and pays an itemized billing directly to the MPCC business office. Donors can fund scholarships through the Foundation in a variety of ways: annual payment to the Foundation office; a one-time donation, or periodic donations. Donors also designate funds to be "unrestricted" with the principal and interest used to fund an ongoing program, or "restricted" whereby the principal donation is restricted and not to be spent, and only interest income is used to fund the scholarship(s) on an ongoing basis.

In addition to sponsoring scholarships for the traditional two-year MCC student, donors can sponsor scholarships for graduating MCC students continuing their education at a four-year institution. Such scholarships currently established were designed by the donor to be awarded annually at MCC’s spring graduation ceremony, and provide funds which are applied to the MCC graduate’s first semester at a four-year college or university. Donors can also sponsor scholarship support for students enrolled in bachelor or graduate degree programs through the Advanced Studies Center on the MCC campus.

The Foundation’s Donor Worksheet serves as a guide for donors in conveying their decisions regarding establishment of a scholarship, including how the scholarship will be funded by the donor. Scholarships can be designated for certain academic programs, i.e. math, science, fine arts, family and consumer science, computer technology, etc., and can also carry other donor restrictions such as gender, academic GPA, and/or geographic area. Our Foundation Director of Administration is available to personally meet with you and/or your representatives at any time to discuss your scholarship objectives, provide information on the establishment, application and award processes, and answer any questions.

The college administration’s short and long term plans target the expansion of MCC’s computer technology; fine arts (music, art, and theatre), and science technology academic programs.

1. In 2006, a renovation of Tipton Hall was completed to include a new fine arts performance area created at the east end of Tipton with the expansion of the original Weeth Theatre into a “flex theatre” setting, and the addition of a piano lab with equipped stations.
   
   
2. MCC’s partnership with 21st Century Systems provides a unique program in our rural community to students pursing degrees in computer technology. 21st Century Systems has offices on the MCC campus, and develops military software for the US Government providing MCC students with a “hands on” experience. It is MCC’s intent to develop other similar partnerships with computer software companies, and expand the educational and workplace applications for our enrolling computer technology students.
   
   
3. Over the next three years, the administration intends to renovate MCC’s science labs and is also focused on developing a science curriculum for biotechnology in agriculture. The wish list also includes an astronomy observatory on the roof of Barnett Hall.

Beginning in 2004, MCC implemented summer humanities enrichment camps in art, music, and writing for high ability learners in grades 6 through 8 in our area communities. These camps also provide scholarship opportunities for donors, and provide an ongoing outreach and recruitment opportunity for MCC. The administration’s plan is to expand these camps to include drama and science.

Outreach and recruitment of students and growth in enrollments creates the opportunity to sponsor additional scholarships for students attending MCC’s two-year programs, as well as the student continuing on, or returning to the campus to pursue bachelor or graduate level degree programs offered by Bellevue University and Chadron State College through MCC’s Advanced Studies Center. The goal of expanding enrollments in science and computer technology, and the fine arts presents an opportunity to establish additional scholarships in these areas, as well as the area of Advanced Studies. Our Foundation is actively encouraging donors to consider directing their support to students enrolling in these areas of study.

As we look to MCC’s future, you can see that there are ongoing opportunities developing whereby we can work with donors to fulfill our mission and commitment to enhance and promote educational opportunities, lifelong learning, student success, and the vitality of MCC, Nebraska’s first two-year college. Over MCC’s 80-year history, many donors have been able to make a difference for individual students, and we are very grateful for the loyalty and support donors have so graciously provided. Please contemplate where you may wish to direct scholarship support for students at MCC by donation to the McCook College Foundation.