Beaufort County Community College is offering three free opportunities for residents in its service area. On August 9, the college will host a backpack giveaway sponsored by Wayne Hardee Law Firm. From August 19-August 29, the college’s barbershop will provide free back-to-school haircuts. On August 15, fall classes will start, and through the Next NC and the Beaufort Promise Scholarships, many residents will qualify for free tuition and fees.

“These opportunities are helping working families to prosper and to start the school year off with a few less worries so they can focus on succeeding in the classroom,” stated a BCCC news release.

On Friday, August 9, from 8-10 a.m., Wayne Hardee Law will distribute 1000 backpacks with supplies to K-12 students. This is the second year that Beaufort CCC has hosted the giveaway after a huge success in 2023. Students must be present to receive a backpack. Families are encouraged to carpool to relieve traffic congestion. Backpacks will not be held.

The Beaufort CCC Barbershop will provide free haircuts performed by barber students from August 19-22 and August 26-29 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. These haircuts are free for all K-12 students or employees from any county, and no appointment is necessary. The barbershop is located at 238 W. Main St. in Washington. These haircuts will help students gain hours toward licensure.

Additionally, Beaufort CCC is offering free tuition and fees for fall classes, noted the school. College credit classes will start on August 15. With the Beaufort Promise Scholarship, all tuition and fees are covered for college credit courses and 50+ hour short-term training courses that lead to a credential. Textbooks not covered by the scholarship, but students receiving federal financial aid (Pell Grant) can use those funds toward textbooks. Students must have a 2.0+ grade point average and be in good academic standing. To qualify for the Beaufort Promise Scholarship, students must be a resident of Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell or Washington counties. North Carolina residents from households earning less than $80,000 may qualify for Next NC Scholarship. Applicants must fill out a FAFSA or equivalent form, and the college will match them with all available funding. Students can also apply for private scholarships through the BCCC Foundation. All of this is money that does not have to be paid back, noted BCCC.

The college also offers free high school equivalency and digital literacy classes in its College and Career Readiness department, free small business workshops through its Small Business Center, and free college credit classes to area high school juniors and seniors through Career & College Promise.

Additionally, through funding from the Louise R. Lester Foundation, the college provides “minute meal” snacks and meals to combat food insecurity. The college has recently added small refrigerators and microwaves to increase the number of healthier offerings to students in need. Through grants from Walmart’s Spark Good, Bombas and Pads Across America, the college offers free hygiene products, socks and menstrual products, respectively, to students who need them.

During the last academic year, the college awarded the Beaufort Promise Scholarship to 485 students to cover unmet needs. Many students will qualify for the federal Pell Grant, but students taking short-term training courses like nurse aide, pharmacy technician, CDL truck driving, or emergency medical technician are ineligible, as are students who already hold a bachelor’s degree but are looking to retrain in a different field. “Expanding educational opportunities to more students has helped local families to prosper and join the middle class in addition to helping connect local employers to a capable and confident workforce,” stated BCCC in a news release.

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