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COLUMBIA (WACH) - First time college students who did not get accepted into the University of South Carolina are getting a second chance thanks to a partnership between USC and Midlands Technical College.

Leaders from USC and MTC explained the "Gamecock Gateway" program in a press conference Monday morning.

The invitation-only program has chosen 165 South Carolina residents to participate in receiving support from both institutions for their first year of college.

The students will live in the Roost residence hall at USC, but will be enrolled in classes at Midlands Technical College's Airport campus.

Midlands Technical College President Marshall "Sonny" White  believe students will benefit from this program.

"Midlands Technical College is pleased to partner with USC to provide increased access to higher education through the Gamecock Gateway," said White. "I am certain that students will benefit from this seamless transition system, and that both institutions will strive to serve the needs of this select group."

If the students successfully complete 30 credit hours and achieve at least a 2.25 Grade Point Average that year, they will be admitted into USC.

Participants in "Gamecock Gateway" are those whose SAT scores fell just short of the scores of those admitted as full-time first-year students at USC.