WCC Education Promise is a two-year, last-dollar scholarship designed to ensure every qualifying student graduating from high school in Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties, as well as WCC high school credential completers, can get a college degree from Wilkes Community College tuition-free. This scholarship program makes sure every qualifying student is 100% covered for the annual cost of tuition and institutional fees.
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Is my tuition free?
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YES! Tuition and institutional fees are covered for the credit hours in your program of study IF you meet all criteria.
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Does this cover all my college expenses?
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No. You will still need to pay for books, required materials, course fees (if applicable), and other everyday expenses that come with attending college.
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What do I have to do to get this scholarship?
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Complete a FAFSA and the WCC Scholarship App. Then, upon review of your eligibility, follow the link in your email the summer before classes begin and complete a thank you and photo upload for the donors.
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Students complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and get whatever federal and state aid they are qualified to receive to cover their tuition and fees. Then, WCC Education Promise covers 100% of the balance students owe for their tuition and institutional fees. Students and their families are responsible for other costs associated with going to college, such as buying books, individual class fees, and general living expenses. Students may pursue other scholarships to cover those costs.
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This scholarship includes certificate, diploma, and/or associate degree credentials for all curriculum WCC programs.
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This scholarship covers tuition and institutional fees; it does not cover course or program-specific fees.
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This scholarship does not cover tuition and fees for courses outside of the chosen credential program, consistent with financial aid standards.
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Summer courses are covered if they are required for your program; otherwise, they are covered on a case-by-case basis.
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Receiving WCC Education Promise does not prevent students from applying for other scholarships, but a student cannot be awarded over the cost of attendance.
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Graduate from a public, private, or home school institution in Wilkes, Ashe, or Alleghany County, or complete a GED or HiSET credential from Wilkes Community College*.
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Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year and submit all required documentation for verification. If verification documents are needed, they must be submitted before WCC Education Promise can be awarded. This must be done each year.
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Complete WCC Scholarship Application (opens December 1 each year for the following school year)
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Earn a minimum 2.0 unweighted GPA in high school.
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Make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as determined by WCC’s guidelines, including classes taken in high school.
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Enroll in at least 6 credit hours per semester in a curriculum program of study at WCC the academic year immediately after completing a high school credential (fall or spring).
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Maintain continuous enrollment (no gap semesters, excluding summer). Eligible students must be registered for all courses in a semester, including minimester courses, before the PRD (see Financial Aid page) to be guaranteed payment for those courses.
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Meet with WCC advisor each semester and follow the Student Code of Conduct; violations may disqualify students from scholarships.
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Complete post-award information (thank you and photo for the donors) each year after your eligibility has been determined. Post-award requests will be sent to your WCC email the summer before the award year. This must be completed well and fully for the scholarship to be awarded. Be sure to note the deadlines below.
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Fall
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WCC Scholarship Application and FAFSA: September 1
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Post-Award (Thank You and Photo): September 15
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Spring
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WCC Scholarship Application and FAFSA: February 1
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Post-Award (Thank You and Photo) Deadline: February 15
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Talk to the Career Coach at your high school or reach out to Ashley at:
