Virginia Highlands Community College announced a plan to cover the cost of tuition and fees for students enrolled for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022. The college says it will use a portion of its federal institutional COVID-relief funding to make possible this one-time scholarship commitment.
“We recognize this has been an extraordinary year and we’re fully committed to do something extraordinary in return,” says VHCC President Dr. Adam Hutchison.
For the coming year, the college will be able to leverage federal institutional COVID relief funding against other sources of funding to assemble a complete financial package for each student. The student-specific package will cover up to 12 hours of tuition and fees with no minimum, regardless of income.
“Our message is very simple. If you are a VHCC student, including those in Tennessee who live within a 30-mile radius— we’ve got you covered,” says Hutchison. “We’re not only planning to welcome students for in-person learning in the fall, we’re making it possible for them to attend tuition-free.”
If students enrolled for Fall 2021 meet academic progress goals, they will be eligible to receive the same benefit for Spring 2022. New and returning students are eligible.
Dr. John Lentz, chairman of the VHCC College Board, acknowledges the decision — while unprecedented — is the very best one that could have been made.
“After careful review, the college considered numerous ways the federal institutional relief funds could have been utilized,” said Dr. Lentz. “But, because of a firm commitment to our communities and the students we serve, there was no doubt this would be the very best way.”
Beth Rhinehart, president and CEO of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, says the decision is remarkable.
“For families just above the financial aid threshold, this opportunity is incredible. It makes higher education within reach for everyone,” says Rhinehart, who also serves on the VHCC College Board. “Following a year that has been incredibly difficult, this news is remarkable. We’re all ready for hopeful news and this announcement is just that.”
To qualify for funding for Fall 2021, students must be enrolled in eligible classes and have a complete FAFSA on file by August 1, 2021. Home school, private school, and concurrent high school students will be fully funded through the Forward Thinking program. Full-eligibility details and guidelines may be found online at vhcc.edu<http://vhcc.edu>/gotyoucovered.
Virginia Highlands Community College offering free tuition
