Harriette Blackburn is participating in Career & College Promise at Surry Community College

2013 Nov 26

Surry Community College is enabling qualified high school juniors and seniors such as Harriette Blackburn of Lowgap, N.C., to get a jump-start on their college education with no tuition bill.

Through the Career & College Promise, SCC provides college transfer and technical career courses absolutely free.

"Free tuition sounds like a deal that's too good to be true, but it is true," said Randy Ledford, SCC's Vice President of Student Services. "Career and College Promise is a great opportunity, which has a positive life-changing impact for students and parents."

The Core 44 is an agreed-upon 44 hours of college credits that will transfer seamlessly to any public or participating private college or university.

"If a rising junior enrolls in the CCP program and takes two years of classes, they can earn up to 34 hours of college credits toward the Core 44 while they are in high school without paying any college tuition. Also, technical students can earn tuition-free courses toward a job credential, certificate or diploma, which are all tuition free," Ledford said.

SCC's college faculty teaches all the classes in the program, which are offered on the Dobson campus along with Surry's off-campus locations. CCP students can ease into the college experience and learn what it takes to be a college student and then earn their associate's degree, diploma or certificate sooner than expected.

"Not only do community college students save money, they also save time in pursuing secondary degrees while they mature academically," said Dr. Jami Woods, Vice President of Curriculum for SCC.

"Typically, students who transfer from SCC to a four-year institution perform better academically than students who start out at a four-year college or university. Plus, CCP offers students a glimpse into different fields of study, which helps students determine which career paths they want to pursue."

For more information about Career and College Promise, contact Bennett Shores at (336) 386-3281 or shoresb@surry.edu.