The following is a press release from Haywood Community College
As the only institution of higher learning in Haywood County, Haywood Community College is striving to make college affordable for all high school graduates. Beginning fall semester 2019, the HCC Foundation will offer Tuition Free Guarantee Scholarships to all 2019 high school graduates of Haywood County public, private and homeschools.
The HCC Tuition Free Guarantee will pay all tuition and select fees for any 2019 qualifying high school graduate from Haywood County who does not obtain the full amount needed through federal financial aid and/or scholarships. This guarantee will be applicable for up to two years (fall and spring semesters only) of enrollment as long as the student continues to meet predefined criteria.
The HCC Tuition Free Guarantee is a great way for students already taking advantage of Career and College Promise tuition free classes to continue classes free after receiving a high school diploma. It is also a way to knock off two years of college debt for those wishing to eventually attend a four-year school. According to lendedu.com, the average North Carolina student loan debt by borrower is $26,164 with 58 percent of graduates with debt.
Students can save thousands of dollars by making HCC their first choice. According to a recent report by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, nearly half of all college students begin at a community college. The report continues to say that “community college students who transfer to selective four-year schools perform as well as – or even better than – their peers who come directly from high school.”
There are several important upcoming dates. HCC will hold Financial Aid Application Day Wednesday, March 6, 2:30-7 p.m. in the College Library. No appointment is necessary. There will be two registration periods for fall semester 2019. These dates are March 26 through May 17 and June 3 through August 2.
Initial qualification criteria for graduates to receive HCC Tuition Free Guarantee include: minimum high school unweighted GPA of 2.8 to indicate college readiness; enrollment in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester at HCC; annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the HCC scholarship application; and meet with a high school career coach, the high school program coordinator, or a success coach at HCC before enrollment.Scholarships are subject to approval by the scholarship committee.
For more information, please visit haywood.edu/tuitionfree or contact us at hcc-advising@haywood.edu or 828-627-2821.
