Spring forward: Getting ahead with summer classes

by ETHAN BERMAN
Staff Writer

Registration for summer courses at WCC has officially opened as of March 9.

Typically, many community colleges and universities offer minimal to no financial aid during the summer semesters. However, during this COVID-19 pandemic, there are new aid options available to WCC students.

If students at WCC show an interest in summer courses, there is a new federal grant program to take advantage of this year, and it is currently accepting applicants. Click here to view the WCC CARES II Grant.

On top of CARES Grants, the Foundation Scholarship is available every semester to students who show a combined financial need and merit. This scholarship awards full-time students $1,000.

WCC students can reapply for the Foundation Scholarship every semester.

WCC offers summer courses every year. For some students, the summer semester could be a window of opportunity to catch up to or get ahead with their degree programs.

When young adults take breaks between school years, it is easy to lose out on information students have learned over the prior semesters and slow down the momentum previously built.

Harris Cooper, a psychologist and neuroscientist at Duke University, wrote a peer-edited review about summer courses’ effects and their importance.

“In areas of the country where the nine-month school did not fit the economy, summer programs were quickly developed to prevent the negative social behaviors associated with idle youth.”

Idle youth are people who do not finish school and people who finish school but cannot attach to the labor force.

Kimberly Hurns, the executive VP of instructional & academic affairs, finds it important to take summer classes.

“It’s a great time to take classes that might be more challenging and to overall…Summer is a great time to keep momentum, get ahead, or catch up,” said Hurns.

Hurns spotted a trend in students taking science and math courses during the summers.

With the combined grants and scholarships available at WCC during this summer session, students have been given an opportunity to get ahead with their prerequisite classes to graduate earlier.

“Even if students only take one class, it can make a big difference,” Hurns said.

Students interested in participating in the upcoming summer semester at WCC can click this link to view a list of available courses.

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