The Workforce Scholarships for the Future is being funded by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund beginning with a $17 million investment. It is designed to address the Palmetto State’s labor shortage.
The scholarship will cover tuition and required fees at any technical college in South Carolina, including Aiken Technical College.
“This will be effective in the spring semester, which starts in January of 2022. Current or new students can access this funding if they’re a South Carolina resident, and if they’re going into one of the workforce programs,” said Dr. S. Vinson Burdette, Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs.
Gov. Henry McMaster wants to extend the pilot program through June 2024. He plans to ask the General Assembly to provide $124 million from the state’s American Rescue Plan Act money.
“South Carolina must be proactive in addressing the labor shortage. This funding will take on the crisis head-on by providing thousands of South Carolinians with the skills needed to thrive in a number of high-demand careers,” said McMaster.
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Scholarships are available for associate degrees or industry credential in high-demand fields including construction, computer science and information technology, manufacturing and health care.
Jayla Hill wants to be a nurse, making her eligible for the new scholarship.
“Deep down in my heart, I want to do it because I love helping people. And I definitely like helping children, so I want to be a pediatric nurse,” she said.
Scholarship recipients must maintain a 2.0 grade point average. The scholarships will be available beginning with the Spring semester in January 2022.
Burdette explained, “Individuals who want to attend Aiken Technical College starting in January still have time to apply, but they need to do that as quickly as possible. We will start classes in January and we will apply this funding. Depending on what the legislature does with the governor’s request, we should have funding in the future.”
Normally, residents of Richmond and Columbia Counties in Georgia are eligible for in-state tuition at Aiken Tech. However, this scholarship is for South Carolina residents only.
Students can apply at www.atc.edu
Dr. Tim Hardee, president of the SC Technical College System, said, “Workforce Scholarships for the Future opens doors for South Carolinians, helping them get the training and education they need to work in high-demand fields across our state. This scholarship is helping build a skilled and ready workforce for business and industry.”
Said Hill, “It doesn’t hurt to apply. And for those out there, definitely don’t say it’s not right for you. If that’s your passion, then go for it.”
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
