Students at South Carolina Technical Colleges could have their tuition paid through a new state program. | Unsplash
Students at South Carolina Technical Colleges could have their tuition paid through a new state program. | Unsplash
Greenville Technical College is presenting virtual information sessions this month on a new program that will cover tuition and fees for South Carolina residents attending one of the state's 16 community colleges.
Greenville Technical College announced the sessions on its website Dec. 6. The online sessions will explain the South Carolina Workforce Scholarships for the Future, a program that covers tuition for state residents who are recent high school graduates and adult students enrolled in qualifying programs. Greenville Technical College states almost all academic programs are included.
“This new program, available at all technical colleges in the state, is aimed at addressing the labor shortage head-on, giving South Carolinians the skills to succeed, and helping the state attract additional jobs and investment from companies worldwide,” the college states in the announcement.
According to the South Carolina Technical College System, tuition and required fees will be paid for at the state’s 16 technical college for qualifying students enrolled in certain high-demand fields. This includes healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality/tourism, construction, transportation, distribution and logistics, criminal justice, early care and education and human services, the SCTCS states.
Student requirements include maintaining a 2.0 GPA and completing a FAFSA. Students also must either be employed, take a financial literacy course at the technical college or complete 100 hours of volunteering at a nonprofit or public-service organization. Students do not have to apply for SC Workforce Scholarships for the Future. For students enrolled in a qualified program, the scholarship will automatically be applied after applying all other scholarships or grants, SCTCS states on its website.
The program will be implemented in two phases. The first involves $17 million provided from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief to use toward covering tuition and required fees starting in January. The second phase is asking the General Assembly to allocate $124 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to cover tuition from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024.
Greenville Technical College's virtual information sessions are 6 p.m. Dec. 15; 5 p.m. Dec. 20; and 10 a.m. Dec. 28-30.
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