Free college? A Q&A with Davidson-Davie
Amidst all the buzz about free college, Davidson Local reached out for a Q&A with the folks at Davidson-Davie to learn more.
DL Q: What does the Longleaf Commitment Grant mean to the college?
A: The Longleaf Commitment program, announced by North Carolina’s governor in May, is for 2021 high school graduates who enroll for Fall 2021 classes. Graduates of adult high school diploma or GED programs also are eligible. Eligible full-time students will receive between $700 and $2,800 per academic year for two years, while part-time students may receive partial awards. Family income is a factor in the final award amount, but most 2021 high school graduates will be eligible.
At Davidson-Davie, there are two options for Fall courses: the semester starts on August 16, but there are also “second-eight-weeks” courses starting in October. Students should start the enrollment process right away to learn about options and explore course availability. Visit https://free.davidsondavie.edu/ for more information.
“When the Longleaf Commitment program was unveiled in May, it meant one more way to make college accessible and affordable for students in Davidson and Davie counties and surrounding areas,” said Dr. Darrin Hartness, president of the college. “And since this program is for 2021 high school grads, it’s been a great reminder to our community that it’s ok if graduating seniors haven’t made college plans yet. We have a great new option for them.”
DL Q: What does the Governor's Emergency Education Relief mean to college?
A: Another source of assistance for students right now is the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund. These dollars are intended to help students who want to take short-term continuing education classes in these areas, leading to state- or industry-recognized credentials: Automotive, Construction, Industrial and Manufacturing, Healthcare, EMS, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Fire and Rescue, Transportation.
DL Q. What type of community response have you had to this opportunity?
A: “We’ve had a busy summer in our enrollment center,” said Cailin Asip, director of recruitment and admissions at Davidson-Davie. “Our enrollment stayed steady even during the worst of the pandemic because we were able to offer courses in a variety of formats. Now that we’re moving back to more in-person classes, students are eager to return to campus. The main goal of our team is to make sure as many prospective students as possible are aware of these incredible funding opportunities that make college even more affordable than before.”
More information on this funding is also available here: https://free.davidsondavie.edu/
