The college’s Early Access program allows high school students to earn college credits before graduating from high school. The new scholarships will provide financial assistance to Early Access students who continue taking classes at WVNCC after high school graduation.
West Virginia Northern Community College has introduced new Early Access Scholarships to further benefit students who take advantage of the Early Access dual enrollment program, which allows high schoolers to earn college credits before graduating. The Early Access program can potentially save students thousands of dollars a year in pursuit of a college degree, and now those same students can benefit even more with an Early Access Scholarship that will provide them with up to $1,000 per year if they choose to continue their WVNCC education after they graduate high school.
According to an article on West Virginia Northern Community College’s website, Rana Spurlock, who serves as the executive director of the WVNCC Foundation, was quoted as saying of the new scholarship, “Early Access students have already demonstrated that they can succeed in a college-level environment while earning college credit before they graduate from high school. We want to encourage those students to keep that momentum going at Northern and make the transition from high school to college as affordable and seamless as possible. This opportunity is possible because of the generosity and commitment of the WVNCC Foundation Board and the many members of our community who believe in the future of our students. Their support allows the Foundation to make investments that can have a lasting impact on students and families throughout the Ohio Valley. For some students, this scholarship could be the difference that makes continuing their education possible.”
The Early Access program provides high schoolers with a few pathways toward earning college credits, including general college credit courses, dual enrollment, and the Level Up program, which provides participants with free tuition. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors from the state’s public, private, and home schools. Freshmen and sophomore students may be eligible with additional requirements.
Students who participate in the Early Access program gain benefits like saving money on tuition, earning college credits before high school is finished, exploring different academic and career paths, becoming familiar with a college environment, and having access to flexible education.
The new Early Access Scholarship will provide students who participated in the program during high school financial assistance if they choose to continue taking classes at West Virginia Northern Community College following their high school graduation. Those who enroll in full-time courses will receive $1,000 per year and those who enroll full time will receive $250 to $750.
For more information about West Virginia Northern Community College, visit the school’s website.