CONTACT:  ADAM GHILONI, 646-1583 OR aghiloni@tctc.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                   7/8/2019

                                                                                                (By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Full- and part-time Tri-County Technical College students can receive a significant savings on tuition this fall -- up to 81 percent -- if they are enrolled in classes in a critical workforce field like engineering technology, health care and information technology.

The South Carolina Workforce and Industry Needs Scholarship (SCWINS) is a statewide technical college scholarship program designed to address workforce shortages in the state while giving students in these critical needs majors a tuition discount, opening the door for more Anderson, Oconee and Pickens county residents to attend college.  

The SCWINS scholarship, paired with lottery tuition assistance, covers any tuition and mandatory fees remaining after all other scholarships and grants are applied.

Students taking six hours or more in these three workforce fields will pay $210 out of pocket plus the cost of fees, per semester.  For full-time students (12 credit hours), the cost is $420 plus fees per semester.

“These major discounts can reduce tuition for service area residents from $185 per credit hour to $35 per credit hour,” said Adam Ghiloni, director of financial aid at Tri-County.

“This opportunity gives residents a path to economic mobility by enabling them to get the education needed for in-demand careers – not just a job,” said Ghiloni.  “College can be affordable and manageable for both full- and part-time students pursuing degrees, diplomas and certificates at all of our campuses.  You really can attend college this year.”

Ghiloni urges those considering these three career paths to reach out to staff in Tri-County’s admission and/or financial aid offices to talk about the first steps to get started for fall semester.  “As soon as possible, come in, call or e-mail us about specifics about the SCWINS scholarship,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity -- you really can do it, and we’re here to help,” he said.    

Recipients must be enrolled in six credit hours with one at least three hours being in one of the critical needs areas.  Engineering Technology majors include auto mechanics and CNC (also available at the Oconee Campus) while health care includes programs such as nursing, surgical technology and medical assisting, as well as veterinary technology.  Tri-County has a new EMT program beginning this fall which also qualifies for the scholarship.

Jenni Creamer, dean of college transitions, reiterated, “This scholarship program is literally a win-win opportunity.  Students can take four courses in one semester, or over multiple semesters, for less than the typical cost of one course. If financial constraints have been the reason you’ve chosen not to enroll, this scholarship can remove those barriers. We’re here to help you address any other challenges and help you get started, or restarted, on your educational journey. It really is possible for you.”

SCWINS recipients cannot be LIFE scholarship recipients. 

            The SCWINS scholarship will be awarded on a continual basis provided the recipient maintains a 2.0 GPA until completion of the degree, diploma or certificate program.

For details and a complete list of majors leading to careers in critical workforce areas, go to www.tctc.edu/SCWINS.

SCWINS Scholarship Eligibility at a Glance

  • Must complete the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov
  • Must be receiving Lottery Tuition Assistance
  • Must be enrolled in six credit hours
  • Must be enrolled in a “critical workforce area,” which includes health care, computer and information technology, and engineering technology

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