September 2025 | Issue 1

Panola College Launches the

Dan L Duncan Shelby County Promise

Panola College is excited to launch the Dan L Duncan Shelby County Promise, an expansion of the Panola College Promise Program that offers eligible Shelby County graduates the opportunity to attend college tuition-free.

Funded by a generous gift from an anonymous donor in honor of Dan L Duncan, the program covers up to three years of tuition and fees at Panola College. It is open to graduates from public, private, and homeschool settings who reside in Shelby County and meet program requirements.

“This Promise gives students the chance to pursue their goals without financial barriers,” said Lori Ballard, Promise Program Coordinator.

The program builds on the success already seen in Panola County and represents Panola College’s commitment to educational access and community growth.

To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, visit www.panola.edu/promise or contact the Panola College Promise office.

Policy Change: New Volunteer Hour Submission Process for Promise Students

We’re excited to announce an important update to the volunteer hour submission process for Panola College Promise Program participants. In response to student feedback and to better support your progress throughout the year, we’ve made a key change: students will no longer submit all 25 volunteer hours at once at the end of the school year.

Instead, you will now submit a separate form each time you complete service hours. This rolling submission process allows for easier tracking and ensures your hours are counted in real time.

Here's what you need to know:

• Submit your hours online after each volunteer activity at: www.panola.edu/promise
• Upload a photo from your service experience directly on the form (optional but encouraged!).
• After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the number of hours submitted and how many you have remaining to meet the 25-hour requirement.

This change will help you stay on track and reduce end-of-year stress. We encourage you to submit hours regularly and keep your confirmation emails for your records.

If you have any questions, reach out to the Promise Program Coordinator or visit the Promise webpage for more information.

New Reconsideration Process

The Panola Promise Program now offers a formal Request for Reconsideration for students who face extraordinary circumstances impacting their eligibility. These circumstances may include events such as a death in the family, a serious accident, or a sudden illness.

How to Request Reconsideration

If you do not meet program requirements (e.g., GPA or volunteer hours), you can request reconsideration by submitting the following:

• Completed Request for Reconsideration Form.
• Verifiable Supporting Documentation (e.g., transcripts, medical records, or a plan to improve GPA).

Submission Method

You can submit your request online here: www.panola.edu/promise.

All requests must be submitted by the deadlines below. Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

• August 1st for high school students
• August 1st for Fall Semester and January 1st for Spring Semester for college students

**Important Information

• This is a digital process; in-person requests will not be accepted. All requests must be submitted through the link on the website.
• You are allowed only one reconsideration request during your time in the program.

For questions or assistance, please contact the Panola Promise Program.