Gear Up students studying at TMCC in July 2017 are excited about the Nevada Promise Scholarship.
Students employ the word “opportunity” when asked about the new Nevada Promise Scholarship, sometimes three times in one sentence.
Truckee Meadows Community College is participating in a new scholarship program approved during Nevada’s 2017 legislative session. The Nevada Promise Scholarship will allow state residents under the age of 20 to complete a college certificate or two-year degree at no cost to the student, if they meet requirements of the program.
The program begins with high school graduating seniors, class of 2018, who have not yet completed a prior associate degree.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for many kids because they might not have the funds and they will basically get to take college for free,” said Novvanie Garcia, a senior at Wooster High School. “You can take courses early and it will help you out a lot in the field you decide to get into. Many adults now in college would have liked to have an opportunity like this, so the class of 2018 is very lucky to have the opportunity of this grant.”
Fellow senior Uriel Hernandez, from Hug High School, agrees.
“It’s very great, because where else would you find a fund who would help pay for your college and open many opportunities,” he said. “This fund helps you out a lot because you get to choose your career and not worry about the money — because sometimes money is a big problem.”
The Scholarship works by paying college tuition and fee costs beyond what is covered by the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship, the Silver State Opportunity Grant, and federal grants. Therefore, it is called a “last-dollar scholarship” that pays college registration and tuition costs that are not met by other “gift aid,” such as a federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant or others.
Students have up to three years of college costs covered to complete their associate degree. The amount awarded varies based on tuition and mandatory fees that are left unmet for each individual student.
“I think this opportunity is important to take advantage of, especially for students because it gives them more opportunities than they would have it if didn’t exist,” said Leslie, a senior at Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology (AACT).
Required Steps
TMCC's Nevada Promise Scholarship website that describes the entire program and the steps to apply. Students must apply for the Nevada Promise Scholarship by Oct. 31, 2017.
The steps include the following:
- Apply for admission to TMCC and obtain a student ID.
- Complete the Nevada Promise Scholarship Application.
- Attend a Nevada Promise Scholarship workshop by the deadline.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Submit a placement test score; such as ACCUPLACER, ACT, SAT.
- Meet with assigned mentor during Spring Semester 2018.
- Volunteer work, reporting 20 hours of approved community service.
- Complete New Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR).
- Register for 12 credits in Fall Semester 2018.
“Free community college has arrived in Nevada, thanks to bipartisan leadership from Governor Brian Sandoval and legislative leaders,” said Jill Biden, EdD, Chair of the College Promise National Advisory Board on CollegePromise.org.
For more information about the Nevada Promise Scholarship, please contact TMCC Access, Outreach and Recruitment at 775-673-8236.