College may already be free for you

There is a lot of conversation on a national level about making colleges free, but many students can already attend a community college such as Beaufort County Community College for free, and they can even use financial aid to cover cost of living expenses such as rent or transportation. In a typical year, about 85 percent of Beaufort’s students attend college for free.

For the average full-time Beaufort student, tuition and fees are about $2,000, and BCCC students may qualify for Pell grants depending on their family income. The average student receives almost $6,000 in Pell grants per year, which do not need to be repaid.

A Pell grant will assist with tuition and books, and any remaining financial aid is refunded directly to students to help them pay for costs such as housing, childcare, food or transportation. This means not only can you attend college for free, but you can have additional funds to help with the cost of attendance.

For high school juniors and seniors, Career & College Promise (CCP) lets them enroll in college courses for free. Students or parents can speak with Admissions staff to find out how they can take advantage of this program.

For parents who need to pay for childcare, Beaufort offers childcare assistance up to $140 per week per child for up to two children paid directly to the provider. This means that a parent of two can save over $1000 a month on childcare. Apply here.

Also, students can apply to be a work-study student and get paid to fill important support roles on campus between or after classes.

The BCCC Foundation offers numerous scholarships to supplement other financial aid. Students must first apply for financial aid and fill out a FAFSA to see if they are eligible for a Pell grant. Last year, the BCCC Foundation awarded over $175,000 to 160 students throughout the year.

The first step on your path to free college is to fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which you can do online or on campus in Building 9 at the Financial Aid office. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. You can also chat with Financial Aid staff through our LIVE CHAT feature. A FAFSA is also required for the work-study program and childcare assistance. Students can find applications here for scholarships or visit the BCCC Foundation office in Building 1 on campus.

For the few students that exhaust all options for financial aid or scholarships, Beaufort offers the College Funds Installment (CFI) payment plan. Instead of paying a lump sum at the beginning of the semester, students can make monthly payments while they attend classes. This interest-free payment plan can eliminate the need to take out loans.

Additionally, short-term workforce courses that are 96+ hours and lead to an industry-recognized credential are now free through the Division of Continuing Education. These courses include nurse aide, pharmacy technician, EMT, NC Firefighter, and CDL truck driver. Staff will help connect students to scholarships for these classes. These newly-free classes are in addition to the already free small business counseling and seminars, as well as the free high school equivalency/GED classes.

So free college might already be a reality for you. Take the first step by filling out a FAFSA, email us at financialaid@beaufortccc.edu, or calling 252940-6222.