Welcome to the MC Parents and Supporters page!
We deeply value the role you play in supporting your student’s success as they balance third-shift work at UPS with their college education. This page is designed to keep you informed and engaged, offering resources like Spotlight on Parents and Supporters, MC News and Updates, Ways to Support Your MC Student, Metro College 101, Get Connected, and FAQs. Thank you for being a vital part of your student’s journey toward a debt-free degree and a bright future.
MC Parents and Supporters Spotlight
MC Parents and Supporters Spotlight §
MC is Now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 MC Parent of the Year Award!
Do you know an MC parent, guardian, or caregiver who has been a big supporter for an MC participant? Now is the time to recognize their contributions! Click HERE to nominate for the 2025 Metropolitan College Parent of the Year Award! Nominations will be accepted through September 5, 2025.
MC News and Updates
MC News and Updates §
See what's new with MC!
MC participants must sign agreements every semester. The timing is important!
Students who sign their agreements by the Guaranteed Deferment Agreement Deadline are not required to pay the MC-eligible charges on their bills by the institutions’ payment due dates. Students who miss the guaranteed deferment deadline must sign their agreements by the Reimbursement Agreement Deadline and are required to pay (or set up a payment plan for) all charges on their bills. The institution will reimburse the student for the MC-eligible charges in the form of a refund or a residual after MC benefits have been paid. 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.
What's a widget and how does that support my student?
Students can now add their MyMC page as a widget on their phones for easier access to the MyMC portal! The MyMC portal is a secure, mobile-friendly online platform that serves as the central hub for MC students. Metropolitan College has introduced the MyMC widget, which is designed to give students quick, real-time access to the most important information about their MC participation—right from their smartphone. By installing the widget, students can easily log into the MyMC portal and immediately see their personalized dashboard. This widget helps students stay on top of their MC responsibilities, stay in touch with their MC Student Success Counselors, meet deadlines, and review their benefits.
Ways to Support Your MC Student
Ways to Support Your MC Student §
Assist with the FAFSA
Parents can play a key role in helping their students complete the FAFSA by gathering necessary financial documents like tax returns and W-2s and being available to answer questions about household income and assets. Encouraging your student to start early, stay organized, and not get discouraged by the process can make a big difference. Remind them that submitting and completing all steps of the FAFSA every academic year is a requirement for MC participation – and this is a step where your support can truly make an impact.
Engage with the Parent Programs
Parents play a vital role in supporting their students as they work toward building a strong future through education. Both Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) and the University of Louisville (UofL) offer a variety of programs, resources, and services designed to help parents stay informed and engaged. JCTC parents can explore helpful tools and information on the JCTC Parent webpage, while UofL’s Parent and Family Association provides tailored programs and communications to keep families connected and empowered throughout their student’s college journey.
Encourage Priority Registration Every Semester
Metropolitan College students receive Priority Registration benefits to help build class schedules that support third-shift work. UofL students should register within the first 5 days of registration each semester, while JCTC students are strongly encouraged to register within the first 45 days. Parents and supporters can assist by reviewing the MC Academic Advising Guide for helpful tips and timelines.
Support Mental Wellness Resources and Sleep Hygiene
Supporting a college student who works third shift can be challenging, but your encouragement makes a big difference. Help your students prioritize their rest and mental wellness by understanding their sleep schedule, checking in with empathy, and reminding them that their hard work is building a bright future. View the Mental Wellness Resources page for information on what your student has access to.
Engage with Career Development
Metropolitan College (MC) is designed to help students earn a debt-free education while gaining valuable work experience. MC focuses on helping students build career-ready skills, explore future opportunities, and learn how to translate their UPS experience into meaningful career pathways throughout the state of Kentucky. As a parent or supporter, you play an important role in your student’s success by encouraging them to utilize the resources available to them. You can learn more about the career planning and professional development resources available to MC participants by visiting the Career Pathways and Career Development on the MC website. By participating in Metropolitan College, your student is not just working a job—they’re building a foundation for a successful future.
Metro College 101
Metro College 101 §
As part of the Metropolitan College onboarding process, all new participants complete an online orientation called the Student Transition Program (STP) before signing their first MC agreement. These modules are now available to parents and families to help you better understand what your student is experiencing as they begin their journey with MC. By reviewing the modules, you’ll gain insight into key program policies and discover valuable resources that can help you support your student—especially as they balance third-shift work with college responsibilities. Click here to view the STP modules.
Get Connected!
Get Connected! §
Supporting a Metropolitan College student is a shared effort, and your encouragement can make a meaningful difference. While we welcome general questions from parents and families, please note that due to FERPA regulations, we are limited in what we can share about a student’s academic or program status. We encourage you to empower your student to reach out to us directly with questions, concerns, or requests for support. Our team is here to help guide them through the program and connect them with resources that support both their academic and personal success. To stay informed and engaged, we also invite you to follow Metropolitan College on social media, where we share updates, student success stories, and helpful tips for navigating college and third-shift work.
Follow us on...
Facebook- metrocollegeky
Instagram- metrocollegeky
Contact Information- Metropolitan College Staff
MC Parents and Supporters - Frequently Asked Questions
MC Parents and Supporters - Frequently Asked Questions §
Whether you're a parent, guardian, mentor, or family friend, your support matters! This FAQ is designed to answer the common questions families have when their student is considering or participating in the Metropolitan College.
Click here for General FAQs about the Metropolitan College Program.
While MC is a student-driven program, parents and supporter involvement can make a big difference in their success.
Parents and supporters can encourage, guide, and help your student stay organized and motivated. You can provide guidance on effectively managing deadlines, understand financial responsibilities, and navigate the balance between work and school.
While college classes may pause for winter break, UPS enters its peak season during the holidays. This means your student may be scheduled to work additional hours to help meet increased shipping demands. Their role is essential—helping ensure packages arrive on time for families across the country to celebrate together.
Because of these increased work responsibilities, your student’s time at home may be more limited than in previous years. Factors like holiday volume, weather conditions, and global shipping needs can all impact their shift schedule. We encourage you to talk with your student about their work commitments and help them plan ahead. Your understanding and support during this busy season are deeply appreciated and make a meaningful difference in their ability to succeed both at work and in school. Even if they can’t be home as long as you'd like, small gestures go a long way—extra phone calls, sending mail, dropping off a favorite meal, or sharing words of encouragement are wonderful ways to stay connected and show your support.
Metropolitan College (MC) is a workforce development program designed to provide students with a debt-free education, while also supporting the third-shift workforce needs of UPS, one of Louisville’s largest employers. The program prepares students for career pathways across Kentucky in high-demand fields such as healthcare, education, IT, and more.
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.
All Metropolitan College (MC) students are required to file and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. This is a necessary step to sign the MC agreement and remain eligible for the tuition benefit.
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 the tuition benefit. 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 what federal aid a student may be eligible for before other funding sources are applied to tuition. This ensures the program remains compliant and sustainable.
If your student is considered an independent student, they may no longer need parental information to complete 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, we encourage you to 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!
Open communication is key!
It’s not uncommon for students to face challenges while balancing third-shift work, college coursework, and personal responsibilities. If your student is struggling or considering leaving the Metropolitan College (MC) program, we encourage you to listen with empathy and help them explore their options before making a decision.
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 campus and UPS resources
Reassess their schedule, workload, and priorities
Remind your student that asking for help is a sign of strength, and that many students have overcome similar challenges with the right support. Leaving the program may have financial and academic implications, so it’s important they speak with their SSC before making any decisions.
Your encouragement and involvement can make a meaningful difference. Whether it’s helping them stay organized, checking in regularly, or simply reminding them of their long-term goals, your support matters.
While MC Student Success Counselors are committed to supporting students and their families, there are important privacy laws that limit what information can be shared.
If you are a parent or supporter of a student participating in Metropolitan College, it is completely understandable that you may have questions about their experience, responsibilities, and progress in the program. General information about the Metropolitan College program is available on the official website at www.metro-college.com. This 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 participation in the program, 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 their 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 that 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.
While Metropolitan College students generally begin work around the same time each night, UPS is a responsive logistics operation, meaning start and end times can vary based on shipping demands.
Your student’s UPS manager may occasionally ask them to arrive earlier or stay later to help meet fluctuating 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. We appreciate your support in helping your student manage this commitment. Your flexibility and assistance with transportation are incredibly valuable as they balance work and school responsibilities.