Miller Middle School families invited to Texas State’s College Knowledge Night Dec. 1

By Lemondria Hobbs
Office of Media Relations
November 25, 2015

Family fun, student performances, free pizza and invaluable information are in store for Doris Miller Middle School families at “College Knowledge Family Night” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 1.

“This partnership provides Miller Middle School families with information they need to ensure that their children are academically and financially prepared to enter college upon high school graduation,” said Kim Porterfield, director of Texas State University Community Relations. “Gaining this knowledge directly from our trained Texas State students makes the goal of attending college come to life for families who may have thought that higher education is not possible for their children.”

Slated to perform at the event are several Miller Middle School fine arts programs, presenting previews of winter showcases.

The event is an extension of the university’s higher education awareness program that attempts to reach every San Marcos CISD sixth grader annually.

“Family Night introduces the idea of preparing for college now as a follow up to the student’s visit to Texas State University,” said Porterfield.

“With each visit, students leave our campus thinking, ‘I can do this’,” said Mariana Zamora, Texas State social work student and lead Community Relations student worker for the event. “We encourage the sixth graders to sign up for Pre-Advanced Placement classes and to participate in extra-curricular programs and organizations when they come to campus. Now, we have the opportunity to pass this information, as well as information on financial aid and other topics, on to parents and other family members during College Knowledge Family Night.”

Throughout the fall semester, San Marcos CISD sixth grade students spend a day at Texas State to learn about attending college. The students sit in on college awareness presentations, engage in a student panel with Texas State students from different disciplines and majors, tour campus, eat at Harris Dining Hall, learn about financial aid and ways to overcome barriers to attending post-secondary education.

Texas State’s Bobcat Promise initiative covers tuition and mandatory fees for new resident freshmen from Texas whose families have adjusted gross incomes of $35,000 or less. Students may qualify for Bobcat Promise for up to eight continuous long semesters (fall and spring).  The program covers the cost of 15 credit hours of tuition and fees.

“Bobcat Promise provides a great opportunity to talented and dedicated students who might not otherwise have the financial means to attend college,” said Porterfield.

To be eligible for the program, students must be Texas residents, be accepted for admission and have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families will gain more information on the process during the event.

Boko the Bobcat and the Spirit Team are scheduled to appear, and Texas State will provide pizza, children’s activities and door prizes at the event. San Marcos Youth Service Bureau will also man a booth to provide information about its after school program. United Way of Hays County will contribute free children’s books to families and Goal Post, a free after-school fitness program sponsored by the university’s recreation Administration program.

For more information, contact the Office of Community Relations at (512) 245-9645 or communityrelation@txstate.edu.