Frequently Asked Questions About the Beaufort Promise Scholarship
The Beaufort Promise Scholarship Program is a supplemental scholarship program for students enrolled in college credit and certification courses at Beaufort County Community College (BCCC). This means that students in college credit programs will apply for financial aid by completing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and BCCC will “top off” or fill any shortfall of a qualifying student to cover tuition and fees. For students taking non-credit workforce courses such as nurse aide, real estate broker, or CDL truck driving, BCCC will ask students to fill out a brief scholarship application form, and then pair qualifying students with state grants, and fill any gap they may have with the Beaufort Promise Scholarship to cover their fees. With these methods, we hope to make higher education free and accessible for most of our service-area residents.
What fees are covered by the Beaufort Promise Scholarship?
Only tuition and fees are covered. Tuition is only covered up to the in-state rate, so students who are considered out-of-state will be responsible for all tuition and fees beyond that amount. Textbooks and cost of attendance (housing, transportation, etc.) are not covered by the program. The Beaufort Promise Scholarship is non-refundable and not retroactive. Students can apply for internal and external scholarships to cover textbook costs. They can also apply separately for child care assistance through the Financial Aid Office.
Only spring and fall semesters are covered. Students who receive Pell Grants (financial aid) or other state grants may use those funds to cover tuition and fees for summer courses.
What programs are covered by the Beaufort Promise Scholarship?
All programs through our Division of Nursing and Allied Health, Division of Arts and Sciences, and Division of Business, Industry and Public Services are covered. Students may choose up to two college credit programs of study. Special credit students must take 9 credits or more and be residents of Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell or Washington Counties. Initial certification programs through the Division of Continuing Education such as Nurse Aide I, CDL Truck Driving, Manicuring, HVAC Technician, Phlebotomy, Real Estate Pre-License, and other 50+ hour programs are covered.
Who qualifies for the Beaufort Promise Scholarship?
- Students must be residents of Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, or Washington Counties.
- Students in college credit programs must take at least nine (9) or more credits in their official program of study and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Non-credit students must enroll in a program of 50 or more contact hours that leads to an initial certification recognized by the College.
- Students must have a cumulative high school or college GPA of 2.0 or higher or equivalent, and they must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at BCCC.
- Residents of Beaufort County must show proof of U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may still qualify for the Beaufort Promise Scholarship through the BCCC Foundation.
- Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (Satisfactory SAP status)
- To read the official Beaufort Promise Procedure in its entirety, click here.
Can I get a refund if I withdraw from my classes?
No. The Beaufort Promise Scholarship is non-refundable. In fact, if you withdraw or are withdrawn from a class or classes on or prior to 10% of the term, you will be responsible for repaying 25% of your course cost for classes you attended. This could be as much as $300.
When does the program start and end?
Students must meet the new Beaufort Promise Scholarship guidelines to qualify for the scholarship in the Fall 2023 Semester, no matter when they register. There is currently no end date on the scholarship program.
What if I started taking classes before May 2023 under the old guidelines, but I have not completed my degree?
The original qualifications for the Beaufort Promise only apply to classes that begin before May 12, 2023. Students must meet the new Beaufort Promise Scholarship guidelines to qualify for the scholarship in the Fall 2023 Semester no matter when they register or when they first started taking classes at the College.
Students who no longer qualify for the Beaufort Promise Scholarship may still qualify for other financial aid such as Pell Grants to help continue their education.
Can I still get free tuition and fees even if I do not qualify for the Beaufort Promise Scholarship?
Maybe. The Beaufort Promise Scholarship is a supplemental program, meaning that the College will exhaust all other available funding first. Financial Aid and other staff will help students sort through what funding they are eligible for. Many of our students, including, for example, those who are Pitt, Martin or Craven County residents, will qualify for federal Pell Grants or state grants such as the Short-Term Workforce Development Grant. These students may have some or all of their tuition and fees covered by financial aid, meaning they will not need the Beaufort Promise Scholarship.
Do I have to be full-time?
No. Students must take at least 9 credit hours or a 50-contact-hour Continuing Education class that leads to a certification.
Do high school students qualify?
No. All high school students in Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties can take free college credit courses at BCCC through Career and College Promise or an early college high school. These programs also cover the cost of textbooks, which Beaufort Promise does not cover.
Free college sounds nice, but I need other resources to attend.
The College can help connect qualifying students to resources like laptops, printing, internet access, tutoring, and transportation through TRIO Student Support Services and other local resources. The BCCC Foundation offers additional scholarships that can cover the cost of textbooks for qualifying students.
How do I apply?
All students taking college credit courses will fill out a FAFSA through the Financial Aid Office. Contact the BCCC Financial Aid Office at 252-940-6222 for credit courses.
Steps to apply & enroll:
- Fill out residency determination
- Apply for admission
- Fill out a FAFSA
- Register for classes through the Advising Center if you have completed 16 credit hours or less
- Register through your advisor if you have completed 17 credit hours or more
Students enrolling in workforce development programs will fill out the financial assistance application through the Division of Continuing Education. Contact the Division of Continuing Education at 252-940-6375 for short-term workforce certification courses.
Where is this money coming from?
The Beaufort Promise Program is made possible by Beaufort County and private donations through the BCCC Foundation.