by Rachel Coleman
LIBERAL, Kan. — College students who are working on a degree bit by bit will benefit from recent changes to the locally funded financial aid. In its regular board meeting Nov. 4, the Seward County Community College Board of Trustees approved changes to the college’s tuition grant.
The Seward County Tuition Grant is awarded to qualifying students based on available funds, and is awarded first to full-time students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours up to 18 credit hours per semester. Part-time students may also apply to the scholarship committee; if approved, their tuition grants will pay for a maximum of nine credit hours, with a minimum of three credit hours required.
“We hope this will expand opportunities for students who are only able to take one class at a time for whatever reason,” said Amy Bridenstine, SCCC Financial Aid Director.
The Tuition Grant is awarded to residents of Seward County who meet the following criteria:
• Apply for the grant by the priority date set by the SCCC Financial Aid Office.
• Have a high school diploma or GED certificate and be officially admitted to SCCC.
• Full-time students must be certified in at least 12 credit hours (and complete 12 credit hours) each Fall/Spring semester.
• Must participate in an approved SCCC activity or organization.
• Must have a minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average from high school, or a minimum 2.5 GPA from previous college work. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to be eligible.
• Part-time students must be enrolled in less than 12 credit hours, and at least 3 credit hours, and complete the 3 credit hours.
• Must accept the tuition grant through the Scholarship Manager and read the terms and conditions. Failure to fulfill the obligations of the award will result in suspension of the award, and the student possibly being charged for the tuition amount.
The board unanimously approved the changes to the Seward County Tuition Grant requirements. With the fall semester wrapping up, enrollment has already opened for the Winter Term and Spring Semester 2025. Deadline for financial aid appeals or loans for the current academic year is Nov. 22, 2024.
