Scholarships take a bite out of schooling costs

By Catherine Engstrom-Hadley
Staff Writer

The full cost of an academic degree adds up over the years. Between books, housing, transportation and paying for the classes, education carries a hefty price tag. Each semester, scholarships are available at WCC that can help students cover these costs and stay out of debt.

While many students already depend on the Pell grant to help pay for their tuition and books, they might be better off utilizing any scholarship opportunities available to them. Students might be surprised to learn they can only use the Pell grant for a maximum of 12 semesters.

“Students can use money from scholarships before federal aid or taking out loans,” said Courtney Roberts, a financial aid tech at student services. “Scholarships provide free money students don’t have to pay back, students planning on transferring can save Pell grants for when they transfer.”

For more than 33 years, over 1,000 students have receive scholarships from the WCC Foundation each year.

“The foundation realized long ago that the students who can afford to go tend to do good in class,” said Phillip Snyder, associate vice president of college advancement. “The foundation strongly supports giving the opportunity to go to school, opportunity to stay in school and the ability to graduate.”

The foundation provides its merit and need-based scholarships every year and has recently created the new “Finish Line Scholarship,” which is awarded to bring back students who have finished over 75 percent of the credits towards a degree, but dropped out due to financial reasons.

“The foundation help students leave school debt-free and ready to go into a career of meaningful work,” said Snyder.

Scholarships for the summer and fall semester are available now through the WCC website. Applications are free to any student, with lots of different qualifications and a variety of options to look into.

Program of Study Scholarships

Award: Full fall and winter tuition and $300 bookstore credit

DEADLINE: JULY 15

How to apply: Apply online with a 250-word statement describing the motivation in attending WCC.

wccnet.edu/services/financial-aid/scholarships/program-of-study-scholarship/

Divisional Scholarship

Amount Awarded: Full full and winter tuition and $300 bookstore credit per semester

DEADLINE: MAY 10

How to apply: Apply online with two letters of recommendation from instructors in the relevant area of study.

wccnet.edu/services/financial-aid/forms/secure/divisional-scholarship/

Learning Disabilities Association Scholarship

Amount Awarded: $500 maximum

DEADLINE: JUNE 30

How to apply: Submit a one-page statement of your educational and career goals, have a letter of recommendation from current or former teachers or school counselors and provide documentation of your learning disability.

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