About Us

Our Mission

Education Services Foundation (ESF) was created in 1995 to make certain that Mississippi students have access to higher education. ESF also serves as the managing company for Mississippi Higher Education Assistance Corporation (MHEAC), the not-for-profit secondary market corporation in the State of Mississippi.

Marketed as Get2College, ESF offers a comprehensive college planning program providing a range of information and counseling to students and their families on planning and paying for college. Services are offered in our Get2College Centers in Jackson and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in workshops throughout the state.

Our Get2College Centers provide one-on-one free counseling to more than 4,000 students and parents annually in the areas of:

• college choice
• personality assessment to explore career options
• ACT/SAT Prep
• assistance in completing admissions and financial aid forms
• interview skills, including practice interviews
• essay-writing
• resume-building
• scholarship search

The outreach team reaches 30,000 students and parents per year through more than 400 workshops in schools, churches and communities on the following subjects:

• Senior Year College Readiness
• Junior Year Planning for College
• ACT Prep
• Financial Aid

Staff also participate in numerous college fairs each year and host FAFSA Days in more than 100 high schools to provide one-on-one assistance in submitting the FAFSA and Mississippi financial aid application.

Get2College partners with many organizations to provide specialized services such as:

•  Jackson Junior League (ACT Workshops)
• Gulf Coast Junior Auxiliary (ACT Workshops)
• College Goal Sunday (FAFSA Days)
• Operation Shoestring and Lanier High School’s Youth Employment Program  (college readiness and success)
• Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (professional development for high school counselors)

Until the enactment of Federal legislation on July 1, 2010, ESF offered low-cost Federal Student Loans. Borrowers with questions about their ESF loans may call 1.800.986.4322.

ESF also offers k-12 schools, colleges and universities the ESF Education Payment Plan which allows for school expenses to be paid monthly.

Our Board of Directors

ESF is served by an outstanding Board of Directors, experts in their fields of education or finances:

W. Stan Pratt
ESF Board Chair, Chairman of the Board, Valley Services, Inc.

J. Murray Underwood
 ESF Board Vice Chair, Retired Partner, KPMG

Dr. Jayne B. Sargent
 ESF Board Secretary/Treasurer, Retired Superintendent, Jackson Public Schools

William M. Jones
 Retired Senior Vice President, Deposit Guaranty National Bank

Ronnie G. Smith
Southwest Regional President, Regions Bank

Jack L. Woodward
Retired Dean of Student Aid Financial Planning, Millsaps College