Unveiling Mississippi College's Comprehensive Features and Benefits

Mississippi College (MC) distinguishes itself by providing a wide spectrum of features and benefits designed to support students, faculty, and staff. These offerings range from educational assistance and wellness programs to financial and career development resources. This article delves into the specifics of these benefits, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview for prospective and current members of the MC community.

Educational Benefits and Resources

Support for Military-Affiliated Students

Mississippi College is dedicated to assisting veterans and service members in achieving their educational goals. The college provides guidance on utilizing various Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits.

Key VA Educational Benefits:

Post-9/11 GI Bill®: Eligible service members can transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to their spouse, children, or a combination of both.
Chapter 1606: Selective Reserve Montgomery GI Bill: This is available to members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy Reserves, as well as the Army National Guard and the Air National Coast Guard.
Montgomery GI Bill Kicker (College Fund): Offered by the Department of Defense through each service branch, this provides additional funds to increase an individual's basic monthly benefit.

Required Documentation:

To utilize VA benefits, students typically need to provide:

VA Application (VA Form 22-1990) submitted through VA.gov.
Certificate of Eligibility dated within the last 30 days or since the last date of separation from a previously-attended institution.
DD2384 - NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility) for Chapter 1606 benefits.

Certification and Enrollment:

Chapter 1606 students must certify their enrollment with the VA each month by calling (877) 823-2347. After initial certification, students are encouraged to view Chapter 1606 Pay-Rate Information or Chapter 30 Pay-Rate Information. Additional information on educational benefits can be found at www.benefits.va.gov.

ROTC Opportunities:

Chapter 1606 students may be eligible to participate in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) while enlisted in the Army National Guard or Army Reserves. MC partners with Jackson State University, which serves as the ROTC program host. ROTC programs can help cover some tuition and fees.

Tuition Assistance and Scholarships

Mississippi College offers various forms of tuition assistance and scholarship opportunities to help students manage the cost of their education.

External Scholarships and Prepaid Tuition:

Students with outside scholarships (from companies, churches, etc.) or those enrolled in prepaid tuition assistance programs like MPACT* must notify the Business Office. Note that the Speed scholarship may affect MPACT program invoicing.

Military Tuition Assistance Program:

The US Department of Defense's Military Tuition Assistance Program is available to active-duty members of the US armed forces, National Guard, and Reserve Component service members. Eligible service members may receive up to $250 per semester hour, with an annual ceiling of $4,500.

Educational Assistance for Employees and Dependents

Mississippi College invests in its employees' professional development by offering educational assistance. Full-time non-faculty employees employed for at least six months are eligible for educational assistance for eligible coursework taken at the University, up to the annual limit allowed by the IRS. Additionally, the University offers tuition remission to eligible dependents (spouses and children) of full-time faculty and staff.

Classroom Technology Training

Mississippi College provides comprehensive support for faculty to effectively utilize classroom technology. All faculty are encouraged to take advantage of Classroom Training offered to re-familiarize themselves with the technology in their classrooms. Individual training sessions and knowledge articles are also available. Checking the classroom prior to the first class is recommended to ensure comfort with its operation.

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Training Development and Documentation Assistance

The Information Technology Services (ITS) department offers services in training development and documentation assistance to help teams improve their processes and propel forward.

Financial Matters and Payment Options

eBill System

Mississippi College uses eBill as its official method for sending student account statements. Students can set up authorized payers to receive eBills on their behalf.

Payment Methods

Students can pay their account balance by cash, check, eCheck, or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express).

Bookstore Charges

Registered students can elect to have the cost of books and other educational items purchased through the Mississippi College Bookstore charged to their student account. These charges can be offset against anticipated financial aid or paid when the next monthly billing statement is received.

Employee Benefits Package

Mississippi College offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, encompassing health, financial security, and work-life balance.

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Health and Insurance Benefits

The benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, cancer, and voluntary insurance options. Some benefits are employer-paid, while others are employee-paid.

Retirement Plan

Upon employment, the University contributes 7% of the employee’s salary to a Defined Contribution (DC) Retirement Plan with TIAA-CREF. This contribution is not a reduction in bi-weekly salary. After five years of service, the University also matches employee contributions based on years of service. The plan follows a five-year vesting schedule.

Leave Policies

Annual Leave: All regular non-faculty employees who are employed for at least 28 hours per week are eligible to accrue annual leave. Accrual rates and maximum balances vary based on the employee’s standard work schedule.

Sick Leave: Sick leave is accrued bi-weekly for eligible employees, with accrual rates and maximum balances determined by the employee’s standard work schedule.

Holidays and Breaks: The University observes a combination of holidays and seasonal breaks, including extended Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break periods.

Wellness and Recreation

Baptist Healthplex

The Baptist Healthplex at Mississippi College offers a wide variety of wellness and recreational facilities. The 72,000 square foot facility includes:

Walking and running track
Aerobic studio
Strength training and weight machines
Stair climbers, treadmills, ski and rowing machines
Racquetball courts
Indoor swimming and therapy pools
Basketball and volleyball courts
Locker rooms
Dry sauna and steam rooms

Community Engagement and Media

Montgomery Community Media (MCM) Partnership

MCM is a non-profit media access organization serving Montgomery County, Md, committed to building and maintaining an inclusive culture by actively championing diversity within its staff and stakeholders. MCM provides media training, access to video production equipment and facilities, and guidance from media professionals to help county residents create and share media content. MCM also provides media production services to other nonprofit organizations and county government agencies to meet their video production needs.

MCM’s staff of professional journalists covers hyper-local news, providing residents with reliable, trustworthy local news and information about their communities. They offer internships for motivated individuals passionate about the Montgomery County community and digital marketing.

Planetarium Shows

Mississippi College offers a variety of planetarium shows that cater to diverse interests, including astronomy, music, and cultural experiences. Examples include:

Live-narrated tours of the night sky, accompanied by legendary stories
Explorations of marine ecosystems and coral reefs
Journeys across the electromagnetic spectrum to understand color
Spanish-language shows for children, such as explorations of the Moon with Sesame Street characters
Shows about the people and places involved in large-scale astronomy, set in Chile
Fulldome shows featuring the music of Pink Floyd

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