FULTON, Miss. (WTVA) -- Laura Coker and Aaliyah Marshall take time out for some practice in the gym.
Both are high school seniors this year, and both have the same plan for this time next year: They're going to Itawamba Community College.
The two have something else in common: Laura and Aaliyah are counting on grant money to get them there.
"It just relieves the burden of having to come up with that money for college. College is very expensive, and that just helps the family," Coker said.
"It helps tremendously because a little bit of money will go a long way because college is very expensive," Marshall said.
Brian Quinn and Jason Wallace head up a foundation called Itawamba FIRST or Friends of Itawamba Responding to a Secure Tomorrow.
Back in 2009, the CREATE Foundation began the Guaranteed Tuition Program. Itawamba County is one of eleven counties that would later sign on.
Each affiliate is responsible for raising money to help fund its portion.
Itawamba FIRST Foundation ranks in the top five.
"It's a great feeling. We want every kid in Itawamba to have the opportunity to get their education, and Itawamba Community College is a great place to do it," Chairman Jason Wallace said.
"We get to help students at the most important time in their life when they are making their college decision. Sometimes they don't know if they can afford to go to college, and we're here to help that, and we're here to spawn the next group of leaders in the area," Vice Chairman Brian Quinn said.
Students are offered help from the school to find scholarships and grants. If they fall short, Itawamba FIRST Foundation makes up the difference to those who qualify.
"Anything that can help those kids get into college and get a college education, we're going to try every means possible to make sure that happens for them," Itawamba Agricultural High School Principal Trae Wiygul said.
"Anytime we can add more sources to the table, it's going to make it better for our students," Itawamba County Superintendent of Education Michael Nanney said.
That appears to be a goal shared by even more people in Itawamba County.
Itawamba FIRST Foundation's most recent fundraiser took in $26,000.
