TruWest Credit Union is supporting students participating in the Mesa Community College First Year Experience program. The support includes in-kind financial literacy workshops for program participants and their parents and a $40,000 grant covering tuition and fees.

The MCC First Year Experience is a year-long college program focused on providing first-year students with the services and support needed to successfully transition to college. Participants must have attended one of six high schools in the Mesa Public Schools system and may be first-generation students or students in need of additional academic support in English, math and reading, according to a release.

TruWest’s continued generosity covers course fees and textbook scholarships for approximately 50 participating students during the 2021-22 academic year, the release states.

“TruWest is dedicated to being an integral part of the success of our community,” Gary Bernard, TruWest Credit Union chief operations officer, said in the release. “We’ve been involved with the First Year Experience since 2019 and have learned firsthand from the students how beneficial the program is in their successful transition to college — especially when other family members haven’t experienced college. This is why we involve family members in the financial literacy workshops, involving their support groups in their experience.”

From Fall 2019 through Fall 2021 TruWest provided 179 First Year Experience students with 239 scholarships for a total of more than $73,680 and provided stipends for student leaders serving as First Year Experience ambassadors.

“TruWest continues to be an amazing champion and benefactor for student success at MCC,” Melissa Carpenter, MCC director of foundations for student success, said in the release. “Their support provides stability for our students so they can focus on learning. We truly enjoy our partnership with TruWest and appreciate their continued commitment to our students and their dreams to achieve an MCC education.”

Learn more about the MCC First Year Experience at mesacc.edu.

TruWest Credit Union is headquartered in Tempe and has 12 branch locations. Eight are in metro Phoenix, including two in Mesa at 1982 W. Main St. Suite No. 104 and 6550 E. Superstition Springs Blvd., and one in Tempe at 1345 W. Warner Road; and four in Austin, Texas. For more information go to truwest.org.