Aiming for affordable, quality education

South Shelby’s Chamber of Commerce discussed the importance of education June 5. 

Jefferson State Community College’s director of college and community relations David Bobo addressed the points of quality, accessibility, convenience and personal touch in a college experience—something he said Jefferson State provides. 

To help finance the education of outstanding students, the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce awarded six students in the county the 2014 Johnny Lowe Scholarship. One of the recipients was Taylor Hyde of Chelsea High School. She plans to attend Mississippi College with a major in pre-physical therapy. 

Education, Bobo said, is something everyone deserves, and that is why Jeff State can help students get a better start, including people in the workforce who realized they need job skills and senior citizens who want something more to do.

Jeff State’s four campuses, one of which is located off Valleydale Road, provide convenient locations for everyone.   

“There’s a big range of people who need it, Bobo said. “Education: it’s not really for the elite, there’s all kinds.”

Fifty-one percent of its students are from ages 17 to 22, and they are considered traditional students who graduated high school and are continuing their educations. Twenty-three percent of its students are ages 23 to 29, and the other 23 percent are older than 30.  

Through location, cost and diversity, Bobo said Jeff State offers an alternate jump-start on college even for the students wanting to attend Auburn University or University of Alabama. 

Tuition at many larger universities has been raised through the years, but Jeff State’s tuition offers a lower price for about $142 per credit hour. For a full-time semester, that is about $1,704 total. Bobo said because of this about 50 percent of all freshman and sophomores in Alabama attend a two-year school in the community college system.  

“That’s a significant amount of students,” Bobo said. “That tells you if some people think tuition is too high, they are going to find another location.”

Jefferson State is also an accredited college, meaning every credit you take with it is guaranteed to be transferable to colleges in Alabama. 

High school dual enrollment opportunities can also knock down the cost of a four-year college because many students can complete their first year of college before even graduating. This means students can take classes for both high school and college credit at the same time. 

Not-for-credit classes are also available for those students who are not pursuing a degree. Computer training courses and cooking classes are some of many Saturday sessions available. Senior adults older than 60 can also take any class without having to pay tuition.  

The accessibility of Jefferson State Community College through its numerous programs creates a learning plan suitable for everyone from students holding down full-time jobs to those with their eyes set on a big name university. 

“Would I send my boys to Jeff State? I would,” Bobo said. “I believe in it, I believe in the quality, I believe in the instructors. It’s a good start.”