Beaufort Promise Scholarship Now Available to Part-Time Students
Working parent Shannon Evans crosses the finish line. For students balancing jobs and family, the finish line just got closer.
Starting with the Fall 2026 semester, Beaufort County Community College has lowered the minimum credit hour requirement for the Beaufort Promise Scholarship from nine credits to six. That means students taking as few as two classes per semester can now qualify for a scholarship that covers tuition and fees at BCCC.
The change was made possible by continued support from the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners.
Who Qualifies for the Beaufort Promise Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to residents of Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, or Washington counties who are enrolled in credit and certification programs at BCCC. To qualify, students must:
- Reside in Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, or Washington County
- Enroll in at least six credit hours within their program of study
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The scholarship fills the gap after federal and state financial aid is applied, making college free for most eligible students. No separate scholarship application is required — BCCC uses FAFSA information to apply the award automatically.
Why the Change Matters
During Fall 2024, 545 students at BCCC were enrolled in six to eight credit hours, making up 28 percent of the student body. Under the previous nine-credit minimum, none of those students would have qualified. The expanded eligibility brings this scholarship within reach for more than a quarter of the college’s enrollment.
“Expanding access to education means meeting people where they are in life,” said Dr. David Loope, president of Beaufort County Community College. “Whether you’re working full time, raising a family or both, six credit hours is an achievable starting point, and we don’t want cost to be the reason someone puts their future on hold.”
Since launching, the Beaufort Promise Scholarship has helped more than 1,740 people pursue degrees and certifications.
What the Scholarship Covers
The Beaufort Promise Scholarship applies to all 40 degree programs and 96 certificates and diplomas offered across BCCC’s academic divisions. Textbooks are not included, though the BCCC Foundation offers additional scholarships that can help offset that cost.
Funding for Beaufort County residents comes from Beaufort County. Students from Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington counties are supported through private funding.
Continuing Education Programs
This change does not affect Continuing Education courses. However, the college already covers more than 20 initial certification programs through that division, including:
- Nurse Aide I
- Medical Assistant
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Barber
- CDL Truck/Bus Driving
- HVAC Technician
- Phlebotomy
- Real Estate Pre-License
Programs of 50 or more contact hours are covered. Additional scholarships for Pharmacy Technician and CDL Truck and Bus Driving training carry no residency requirement.
How to Get Started
Registration for Fall 2026 is open now. If you have questions about degree and transfer programs, contact the Admissions Office at 252-940-6237. For workforce certification programs through Continuing Education, call 252-940-6375.