BOAZ, Ala. — Snead State Community College and Pilgrim’s Pride have agreed to a partnership that aims to make a difference for team members’ families.
This agreement with Pilgrim’s Pride, a subsidiary of leading global food company JBS, will help train its employees for associate degrees and technical certifications.
Snead State and Pilgrim’s signed the agreement on Monday, Feb. 14. The JBS/Pilgrim’s Better Futures Program will offer free college tuition to Pilgrim’s team members and their child dependents.
Pilgrim’s offers to pay the remaining tuition balance, often called a last-dollar tuition scholarship, for its workers to train in technical programs that help them succeed.
The scholarship is effective after all other aid, including aid granted after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is applied.
Pilgrim’s employees are required to have worked with the company at least six months prior to becoming eligible for the tuition scholarship and to work for the company two years after graduation or completion of a certification.
This joint agreement started almost a year ago from a conversation with Snead State President Dr. Joe Wilmore and Mr. Pat Allen, the Head of Human Resources Operations for JBS/Pilgrim’s Price.
As a result of their conversation, similar agreements for employee scholarships and professional development were signed with Pilgrim’s at Northwest Shoals Community College and Enterprise State Community College. Each of the colleges are located in close proximity to a Pilgrim’s facility.
In addition to JBS/Pilgrim’s offering the last dollar tuition scholarship, Snead State is committed to offering specialized advising, financial literacy and professional development to Pilgrim’s employees who choose to attend.