Are you thinking about going back to school, but not necessarily for a degree? Maybe you could move up the ranks or get a pay increase just by having one more credential, or maybe you’re looking at changing careers completely. Wilson Community College’s Division of Continuing Education serves thousands of students every year for many of these same reasons. And we have funds available for you!
So, what is Continuing Education exactly? It provides individuals with opportunities to earn certificates and training in a range of areas – from public safety to public health to workforce-related areas, among many others. Continuing Education courses do not earn academic credit, but some do award industry certification, licensure, or continuing education units (CEUs). These courses are designed to provide specific knowledge and/or upgrade skills. Classes are offered throughout the year and at different times throughout the day.
The majority of the classes are fairly inexpensive; however, we still have several scholarship opportunities available to students. The scholarships are dependent on the type and length of the class and the award criteria established by the funding agency. In many cases, an entire course can be covered by scholarship, essentially making courses free of charge to students. Scholarships include:
The Golden LEAF Scholars Program – Two-Year Colleges
Students enrolling in Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) pathways/courses offered for 96 hours or more, and leading to a State or industry-recognized credential, may be eligible to receive grants of up to $1850 annually. The scholarships help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, transportation, childcare, and other components of the total cost of attendance for the 2022-2023 fall, spring, and summer semesters. Eligible students must be a North Carolina resident, demonstrate financial need, and reside in a rural county that is tobacco-dependent or economically distressed, as determined by the Golden LEAF Foundation.
State Employee’s Credit Union (SECU) Bridge to Career
The SECU Foundation has established the SECU Bridge to Career Program to help remove financial barriers for students seeking to obtain state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials through the Workforce Continuing Education Division of their local Community College that lead to sustainable wage careers within their local communities. These $500.00 scholarships are available to students during the spring 2023 semester. Funds may be used to cover the cost of registration, books, fees, and other supplies, with any balance reimbursed to the student.
Short-Term Workforce Development (STWD) Scholarships
In 2021, the General Assembly allocated funding for the next two years to the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) for eligible students pursuing high-demand workforce training programs within workforce pathways identified in collaboration with the Department of Commerce that lead to a State or industry-recognized credential. These funds are intended to remove access barriers to high-quality, in-demand, sustaining-wage careers for North Carolinians. Through this program, each college is able to determine grant award amounts based on student needs, local industry needs, the number of eligible students, and the cost of the course/pathway, up to a maximum award of $750 per course. These grants help address the cost of tuition/registration fees, course fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, transportation, childcare, and any other components of the total cost of attendance. Students applying for this scholarship must be a resident of North Carolina and have established residency under the centralized residency determination process administered by the State Education Assistance Authority known as the NC Residency Determination Service (RDS). Applicants can complete the residency determination process at CFNC. Applicants will be required to have an RDN number at the time of registration.
Scholarships vary by course, but some common ones include BioWork Process Technician, Cosmetology, Detention Officer Certification, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Fire Fighter I and II, Nurse Aide I and II, Pharmacy Technician, Wastewater Operator, and Welding.
Registration is open now. For more information, contact Wes Hill, Dean of Continuing Education, at whill@wilsoncc.edu, or visit our website at www.wilsoncc.edu. #WilsonCC We make Wilson work.
What’s Happening
- NOW – Registration for Spring 2023
- December 12 – Holiday Concert at 7:00 p.m.
- December 15 – BLET Graduation