Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, announced a major new commitment today (March 21) to eliminate financial barriers to higher education for residents of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.
President Williams said a new need-based scholarship program, called the “VanGuarantee,” is designed to cover tuition, student fees and textbooks for eligible students whose financial needs are unmet by federal financial aid and other means of support. She made the announcement at a meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees and was joined by school superintendents and members of the boards of education from the four counties served by the college.
VGCC already has a robust, almost 40-year-old Endowment Fund that provides primarily merit-based scholarships.
“The VanGuarantee program enhances our college’s commitment to supporting deserving students, particularly those who demonstrate the greatest financial need, because we do not want the cost of attendance to be a barrier for any student at any stage,” Dr. Williams said. “We want to guarantee that every student in our community who wants to earn a college degree can do so.”
Making the VanGuarantee possible is a $1.6 million bequest to VGCC from the estate of Wilbert A. Edwards. The gift, announced in 2015, is the second largest in the history of the college. A resident of Oxford at the time of his death in 2001, Edwards was a native of Vance County and a decorated World War II fighter pilot. In addition to the VanGuarantee, funds from the Edwards estate are being used for faculty development and for college facilities.
In its scope, the new program is believed to be unique in the North Carolina Community College System. As policymakers and students have expressed growing concerns about the rising cost of college, VGCC joins colleges across the country in creating innovative “promise” or “guarantee” programs to make education more affordable and accessible.
Some colleges have made such commitments only to recent high school graduates, but the VanGuarantee applies to all students in the four counties, reflecting VGCC’s longstanding tradition of helping adults retrain for new careers at any age, Dr. Williams explained. Nevertheless, she encouraged 2016 high school graduates to take advantage of the new opportunity to obtain a debt-free college education.
Among the eligibility requirements for the VanGuarantee, students who reside in the college’s service area must enroll in at least nine credit hours per semester in any VGCC curriculum program. They must first apply for and meet the eligibility requirements for federal and state financial aid programs. Next, they will apply for endowed VGCC scholarships. When students still lack the funds to pay for their education after exhausting those and other sources, the VanGuarantee program will help to fill the gap. That makes the program an example of what is often called a “last-dollar scholarship.”
The VanGuarantee will be available in the fall 2016 semester, which starts in August. All residents of the four counties served by the college, regardless of their age or whether they have attended VGCC before, may benefit if they meet the eligibility criteria. Once enrolled in the VanGuarantee program, students must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) to continue receiving the scholarship.
For more information on the VanGuarantee, students can visit www.vgcc.edu/fao/vanguarantee.
This is great, so like everyone can really get a college degree now if they want one.
I have been away for 2 weeks & HiH has only 5 posts in 14 days! I’m beginning to wonder if I have something in common with Donald Trump. He brings out voters to the polls in record numbers b/c John Q. Public is so fed up with Washington & its politicians. Looks like the Republicans will get back into the White House and hopefully “Make America Great Again”!
Looks like bernie sanders would like this idea from VGCC….He wants the govt. to pay for any and all students who wish to go to college on the taxpayers dime!!! Sounds good….but has he looked at just how much $$$ the USA is in debt? Maybe not!! I’m sure he will get plenty of support in the Henderson area b/c hendersonians love jbig govt. and its many handouts. Isn’t Henderson busting @ the seams with Subsidized Housing and unbelievable amount of people living on Food Stamps & Medicaid!!!
#lazy #wouldntworknapiefactory
SMH!!!!
Decept: Trmp is a clear and present danger to the Republic. Fortunately, Mrs. Clinton should be able to defeat the vulgar floppy-haired orangutan.
Trmp is a clear and present danger to the Republic. Fortunately, Mrs. Clinton should be able to defeat the vulgar floppy-haired orangutan.
Publius,
My lil’ fairy I’m surprised that you are not in favor with the “don”. If for no other reason than the both of you seemingly love to belittle others who don’t look like you. I looked up the words “Passive Aggressive” in the dictionary & I think your picture was beside the definition. You have to love a country where “a lil’ fairy” can be “passive aggressive”. I couldn’t make this up if I tried!!!
Too bad for the “don’s” haters….but I think he has gotten this election won already…& it’s just March!!!! MADNESS? MAYBE?
#SMH
Decept: Trmp is not a real Republican, does not believe in Republican values, or any values for that matter, and is for the most part an immoral, dishonest, vain narcissist who would endanger the country. Now, go ahead and respond like Trmp would and launch the personal attacks on me.
It’s gonna be a lot of fun watching the GOP elders take the nomination away from him and the resulting firestorm. I hear there’s a petition going around to allow open carry of firearms on the convention floor. Now that would be entertainment!
Publius….never said he was a REAL republican. Does it matter? He is winning 4 out of 5 states each & every week. If he does get cheated out of the nomination then you better have your guns & riot gear ready b/c Trump even hinted at the possibility of riots should the “good ole’ boys” try to block his nomination. This is better than a reality t.v. show!!! Why can’t he be elected president of the USA? I see that someone pointed out henderson has 3-4 tax deadbeats that currently occupy seats on the city council, county commissioners, & BofE. At least Trump pays his taxes!!!! Guess it pays to be endorsed by the Black Caucus doesn’t it cash, peace-jenkinks, & taylor? How does that work b/c the candidates must offer a monetary donation to the Black Caucus in order to get their endorsement!!! Can you spell DIRTY POLITRICKS?
#dirty
SMH!!!! while voting 4 TRUMP!!!!
Decept: I’ve got my popcorn and beer ready for the suicide convention of the Republican party. YEEHAW!
So you have elected officials who don’t pay taxes? That’s a problem that Henderson/Vance has had in the past. Funny thing is that the majority of the ones who don’t do their civic duty and pay taxes are the same ones who are “endorsed” by the Black Caucus!!! Go Figure!!!!! Only N Hunnerson!!!!!
I love it when idiots runs for office when they can’t even handle their own fiscal responsibilities!!!! Keep up the good work Hendeson and you will con’t to get the same results……idiots who not only don’t pay their taxes but also don’t seem to care to pay!!!! Now….how do you like the fact that they have a vote on whether or not your taxes get increased!!! SMH!!!!!
#TaxDeadbeats