3/23/2017 - Jackson, Miss.

Mississippi students can enter for additional opportunity to win $1000

High school seniors who celebrate their college decisions by announcing them on social media will have the opportunity to win up to $5,000, with an additional opportunity to win $1,000 offered only to Mississippi students. For the third year, the College Board is hosting its annual Collegiance College Decision Day social media contest to celebrate college-bound students across the country. Students who share a video, Boomerang or photo announcing their college decision with the hashtag #Collegiance on Instagram will be entered for a chance to win $5,000.

This year, Mississippi students can enter for an additional opportunity to win money for college. Students should include #CollegianceMS in their posts for a chance to win $1,000. The deadline to post is May 15, 2017. The 10 most creative entries win cash prizes, including $5,000 for the best video.

"We appreciate the College Board sharing in students' excitement as they declare where they plan to attend college and especially for providing additional support for Mississippi students," said Dr. Glenn Boyce, Commissioner of Higher Education. "We want to provide a seamless transition from high school to college and the College Board is a great partner in these efforts."

The College Board is providing the additional opportunity for Mississippi students in support of College Countdown MS.

College Countdown MS is part of a national effort, the American College Application Campaign, that shares the goal of easing the admissions, financial aid and enrollment process for students, particularly first-generation and low-income students, and ensure that they apply to at least one postsecondary institution.

"At the College Board, we connect students to college opportunity and success," said David Gupta, Vice President, Southern Region, The College Board. "College Countdown MS has done an excellent job helping students on their path to higher learning. We're excited to celebrate Mississippi students making their college decisions with #CollegianceMS."

The College Board, a mission-driven not-for-profit organization, each year helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success - including the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program®.

Partners in College Countdown MS include the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, the Mississippi Community College Board, the Mississippi Department of Education, State Office of Student Financial Aid, Mississippi Association of College Registrars and Admission Officers (MACRAO), the Get2College Program of WHEF Woodward Hines Education Foundation. The target areas for 2016-17 include Jackson Public Schools, the Delta, Meridian High School, New Albany High School and the Gulf Coast.

Some of the activities planned for students include Application Day, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Days, and College Signing Day, which is designed to replicate the excitement of athletic signing days.

Visit collegiance.wcm.collegeboard.org to learn more about Collegiance. More information on College Countdown MS is available online at collegecountdownms.com.

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The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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