Parents and Supporters

Students who sign their agreements by the Guaranteed Deferment Agreement Deadline are not required to pay MC-eligible charges by their institution’s payment due date. Students who miss the guaranteed deferment deadline must sign their agreements by the Reimbursement Agreement Deadline and are responsible for paying (or setting up a payment plan for) all charges on their bill. After MC benefits are applied, the institution will reimburse the student for eligible charges through a refund or residual. Visit metro-college/benefits/career-development for full details about the two different types of agreements, along with the specific dates and deadlines for each semester.

Students can now add their MyMC page as a widget on their smartphones for quicker access to the MyMC portal. The MyMC portal is a secure, mobile-friendly platform that serves as the central hub for Metropolitan College students. The new MyMC widget provides real-time access to key information about their MC participation—right from their phone’s home screen. By installing the widget, students can easily log into the portal and view their personalized dashboard. This tool helps them stay on top of MC responsibilities, communicate with their Student Success Counselor, meet important deadlines, and review their benefits.

Parents and supporters can provide encouragement, guidance, and support to help your student stay organized and motivated. This includes helping them manage deadlines, understand financial responsibilities, and successfully meet the required commitments of both work and school.

PS refers to the period from mid-November through mid-January as "peak season," which is typically the busiest time of year for shipping. During this time, factors such as holiday volume, weather conditions, and global shipping demands can all impact shift schedules. UPS Worldport employees—including MC students—often have increased work responsibilities during peak season.

Because peak season overlaps with the holiday season, your student’s time at home may be more limited than in previous years. We encourage you to talk with your student about their work commitments and help them plan ahead.

Even if they can’t be home as long as you’d like, small gestures—such as extra phone calls, sending mail, dropping off a favorite meal, or sharing words of encouragement—are great ways to stay connected and show your support. Your understanding during this busy time is deeply appreciated and can make a meaningful difference in your student’s ability to succeed both at work and in school.

Metropolitan College provides not only financial support but also valuable work experience that helps students build discipline, time-management skills, and resilience. Through their third-shift employment at UPS, students gain real-world experience while earning a debt-free education.

MC also offers structured career development through the Career and Academic Program Plan (CAPP) and the CareerGuide Mentor Program. Students complete key milestones such as budgeting, resume building, and mock interviews, and they can explore Career Pathways in high-demand fields like healthcare, education, automotive, IT, and more.

Our goal is for students to graduate debt-free, with money in the bank, and be prepared to enter a fulfilling career that meets workforce needs across the state of Kentucky. Your support and encouragement play a vital role in helping your student make the most of this opportunity.

The FAFSA helps determine whether your student qualifies for federal and state grants, such as Pell, CAP, or SEOG. If eligible, these grants can cover up to 50% of tuition. If your student does not qualify for financial aid, MC and UPS will cover that portion—ensuring your student still receives the full tuition benefit.

Additionally, because federal funds partially support the operation of the MC program, it is essential to determine a student's federal aid eligibility before applying other funding sources to tuition. This helps keep the program compliant and sustainable.

If your student is considered independent, they may not need to include parental information when completing the FAFSA. A student is typically considered independent if they:

• Are 24 years or older

• Are married

• Are a veteran

• Have dependents of their own

• Have experienced specific circumstances such as being an emancipated minor, a ward of the court, or unaccompanied and homeless

If you have questions about how independence is defined, contact the financial aid office at UofL or JCTC for guidance.

Filing the FAFSA each year starting October 1 helps ensure your student can sign their MC agreement on time and defer tuition for the upcoming semester. Your support in helping them complete this process is greatly appreciated.

It’s not uncommon for students to face challenges when balancing third-shift work, college coursework, and personal responsibilities. If your student is struggling or considering leaving the Metropolitan College program, we encourage you to listen with empathy and to encourage them to explore their options. 

Metropolitan College offers a strong support system, including access to a Student Success Counselor (SSC) who can help your student:

• Identify and address barriers to success

• Explore academic and career goals

• Connect with school and UPS resources, including those noted on MC's Mental Wellness Resources webpage 

• Reassess their schedule, workload, and priorities

Leaving the program may have financial and academic consequences, so it’s important that they speak with their SSC before making any decisions. Remind your student that asking for help is a sign of strength. Many students have faced similar challenges and succeeded with the right support. Your encouragement and involvement can make a meaningful difference. Whether it’s helping them stay organized, checking in regularly, or reminding them of their long-term goals, your support truly matters.

If you are a parent or supporter of a student participating in Metropolitan College, it’s completely understandable to have questions about their experience, responsibilities, and progress. General information about the program is available on the official website at www.metro-college.com. The site includes details about program benefits, eligibility requirements, deadlines, financial aid, career development opportunities, and contact information for MC Student Success Counselors.

if your question involves specific details about your student’s academic progress, financial aid status, work schedule, or program participation, please be aware that MC staff are legally restricted from sharing that information. This restriction is based on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law enacted in 1974 to protect the privacy of student education records. FERPA gives college students the right to control access to their educational records, regardless of age or financial dependency. This means that even if you are the student’s legal guardian or are paying for their education, MC staff cannot disclose information such as grades, enrollment status, financial aid details, or Student Agreement status. While this may feel frustrating, FERPA is designed to help students take ownership of their education and develop independence. It also ensures their personal and academic information is protected.

As a parent or supporter, the best way to get answers to specific questions is to encourage your student to reach out directly to MC staff. You can also ask your student to share updates with you, including important deadlines and documents. By staying informed and involved, you can help your student stay on track and make the most of their Metropolitan College experience.

Your student’s UPS manager may occasionally ask them to arrive earlier or stay later to help meet changing workforce needs—especially during peak seasons, holidays, or in response to unexpected events. In general, students should plan for their work and transportation needs between 9:00 PM and 4:00 AM, though exact times may shift slightly from night to night.

UPS employees have free access to the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) bus service by showing a valid employee ID. UofL and JCTC students also have free access to TARC with their student IDs. For details about TARC access as a UofL student, visit the UofL Parking and Transportation webpage. JCTC students can visit the JCTC Learning Commons webpage for information. UPS Worldport is serviced by TARC bus routes 28, 93, and 99. TARC maintains up-to-date information about routes and schedules at www.ridetarc.org.

We appreciate the support your provide to help your student manage this commitment. Your flexibility and assistance with transportation are incredibly valuable as they balance work and school responsibilities.

Evolve 502 is a "Last Dollar Scholarship" program which means it covers the remaining cost of tuition and fees after all other grants, third-party payments, and scholarships have been applied. It ensures that eligible students don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for tuition if their other aid doesn’t fully cover the cost. Conversely, Metro College limits the use of Pell, SEOG, and CAP grants to no more than 50% of a student’s tuition and security fee each semester. If a student is enrolled in MC, or dually enrolled in both programs, any remaining grant funds, KEES, or scholarships can be used for other fees or received as a refund to support additional educational expenses not included on the student's bill. 

Some benefits of participating in MC while utilizing Evolve 502 include:

• Tuition and Security Fee paid (not a last dollar scholarship; students may retain some financial aid as a refund)

• Open to all students who file and complete a FAFSA (not limited to JCPS recent high school or GED graduates)

• On-the-job skill development with a starting wage of $21/hour

• No minimum credit hour requirement per semester

• Continued eligibility for MC benefits even if satisfactory academic progress is not met

• $250 Fee Payment each fall and spring semester

• Summer tuition benefits.

• $500 Semester Bonus each fall and spring semester

• Full UPS Employee Benefits package (healthcare, dental, etc.)

• High 5 Wealth Development program to help students build financial literacy and wealth

• Option to take a semester off without penalty (though not encouraged)

• Flexible entry—students can join the program any semester, not just the fall after high school graduation

• Continued MC benefits at the University of Louisville after graduation or upon earning 60 transferable credits 

If a student is enrolled in both Evolve 502 and MC, MC benefits will be applied to the student's bill first. Evolve will only cover tuition and fees if there are remaining costs after MC benefits and all financial aid awards have been applied. JCTC MC students enrolled in Evolve 502 could receive these additional benefits:

• Additional payment for JCTC fees exceeding $250 (fall and spring semesters) that are not covered by other financial aid.

• Payment for MC-ineligible grades, if the student has completed all steps to qualify for Evolve 502 benefits before the date withdrawn or failing grades are posted. This benefit cannot be applied retroactively.

• Students enrolled in MC and Evolve 502 with a household income of $47,000 or below are eligible for the Opportunity Grant of $1,100 each fall and spring semester. 

All financial aid funds, including the Opportunity Grant, are held in the student’s account up to the total cost of tuition and fees. If financial aid exceeds the total cost of the JCTC bill, students will receive a residual payment at the beginning of the semester. 

Once MC pays tuition (after February 10 for fall and after June 24 for spring), the Evolve 502 award is adjusted on the student’s account, and residual funds are issued if applicable. When the $250 fee payment is applied to MC student accounts (after April 30 for fall and after June 24 for spring), JCTC will adjust the Evolve award again, if applicable.

If you’d like to learn how dual enrollment in Metropolitan College and Evolve 502 could benefit your student, please contact a MC Student Success Counselor — they’ll walk you through how the benefits apply. For questions about Evolve 502, please contact Ashton Ballard in the JCTC Financial Aid Office at ashton.ballard@kctcs.edu.