North Raleigh Today

Wake Technical Community College recently announced that it is providing one free year's worth of tuition for North Carolina high school graduates, regardless of students' ability to pay.

“The last two years have been tough years for high school grads and their families, and now they come out of high school and they see rising gas prices, they see other costs, and we just don't want the price of college to be a barrier for anyone,” Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls told WRAL News.

The offer is open to any North Carolina resident who graduated (or will graduate) from high school between December 2021 and the end of 2022. Wake Tech expects approximately 3,000 students to apply for the offer for the fall semester.

To qualify, eligible students must complete federal student aid forms. Applicants must be first-time college students, and they have to enroll in a degree program.

North Carolina students can also take advantage of the the North Carolina Longleaf Commitment Grant, which awards up to $2,800 to each eligible student per year. Grants can be used to pay for tuition and fees to enroll in associate degree programs at community colleges. The amount of each grant award is based on each student's financial need. 

“North Carolina’s community colleges are our not-so-secret weapon when it comes to building a talented workforce, and Longleaf Commitment grants are helping to make education and training more accessible and affordable,” Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) said, according to WRAL News. “These grants are already helping North Carolinians get the skills they need by making community college debt-free, and I encourage all eligible graduating high school seniors to take advantage of this funding.”