Frequently Asked Questions About the Beaufort Promise Scholarship
The Beaufort Promise Scholarship Program is a supplemental scholarship program to cover tuition and fees (but not textbooks) for students enrolled in college credit and certification courses at Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort CCC). The scholarship program has already helped over 1,300 people.
- College credit students must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and Beaufort CCC will cover any remaining tuition and fees for eligible students.
- Non-credit workforce students (e.g., nurse aide, real estate broker, CDL truck driving) must complete a short scholarship application, and Beaufort CCC will match eligible students with state grants and cover any remaining fees through the Beaufort Promise Scholarship.
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 costs beyond that amount. Textbooks, kits, uniforms, housing, and transportation are not covered by the scholarship. 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 for summer courses.
What programs are covered by the Beaufort Promise Scholarship?
The scholarship covers all 40 degrees and 96 certificates/diplomas through our Nursing and Allied Health, Arts and Sciences, and Business, Industry and Public Services divisions. 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. Over 20 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+ 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 (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 end?
There is currently no end date on the scholarship program.
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 Next NC Scholarship or 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 juniors and seniors in Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington counties can take free college credit courses at Beaufort CCC through Career and College Promise (CCP) or an early college high school. These programs also cover the cost of textbooks, unlike the Beaufort Promise Scholarship.
Free college sounds nice, but I need other resources to attend.
TRIO Student Support Services, Beaufort Digital Bridge, and other support programs offer qualifying students resources like laptops, printing, internet access, tutoring, and transportation. 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 Scholarship is funded by Beaufort County and private donations through the BCCC Foundation. The average total award amount per student is $698.