Recent Orangeburg County high school graduates are now eligible for free or low-cost tuition at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.
The new SC Promise Scholarship – funded by the state General Assembly and administered by the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education – is designed to ensure a quality higher education is affordable and accessible to students living in some of the state’s poorest school districts, as identified in Abbeville County School District et al vs. South Carolina. Locally, recent graduates in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell and Clarendon counties and Lexington School District Four are also eligible to receive the scholarship.
“The Promise program is a tremendous opportunity to increase higher education access to Orangeburg County citizens, particularly at a time when the economy in this region is growing and jobs require post-secondary training,” OCtech President Dr. Walt Tobin said. “Our goal is to reduce the cost of college as a barrier to earning a credential, increase the number of college graduates between the ages of 18 and 24, and successfully prepare tomorrow’s workforce. In addition, because of our relationship with four-year partner institutions, we have the ability to support baccalaureate degree attainment at a fraction of the cost.”
To qualify, students must:
- Have earned a high school diploma or GED between 2013 and 2018 while residing in Orangeburg County or one of the plaintiff school districts
- Be enrolled or enrolling in a certificate, diploma or degree program at OCtech or another of the SC Technical College System’s 16 schools
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and SC Promise Scholarship application
- Enroll in at least six credit hours in the fall 2018 and/or spring 2019 semesters
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA
- Participate in mentoring activities at the college
Graduates of all public, private, online and home schools who meet the qualifications are eligible for the SC Promise Scholarship. Scholarship money follows eligible students across the SC Technical College System. Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible.
Scholarship recipients may receive up to $2,000 per academic year after all other grant and scholarship funding is used. Funds may be used to cover the cost of tuition, mandatory fees and program fees. A $300 book allowance is included. Refunds will not be issued.
To apply, call 803.535.1224 or stop by Student Services in the Patrick Student Services building.
