$3.5M Scholarship Program Pushes HCC Students In Finish Degrees

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Leaders in Howard County have announced a $3.5 million scholarship program to help Howard Community College students. Called Complete4Success, the scholarship will cover tuition and fees, emergency needs and training in critical industries for 2,000 eligible students that allows them to finish earning their degrees and subsequently secure employment.

"Across our nation, higher education enrollment suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were faced with desperate situations—having to address both their academic and emergency needs such as digital access, books, food, and transportation. The Complete4Success program will allow our students to get the last few credits they need to complete their training or degree so that they can focus on creating their best selves and best future. These scholarships will also help us invest in our students so they can, in turn, give back in hard-hit industries," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said during a news conference.

Daria J. Willis, president of Howard Community College, said the funding will help almost 1,200 students who are close to wrapping up their degrees actually graduation. It also will provide short-term training to approximately 500 noncredit students.

"Education is the best way for Howard County families to advance economically. Students with an associate degree from Howard Community College will earn more in their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma or GED, but to get students to this economic success, we must first get them to complete. The Complete4Success Scholarship will serve students at the greatest risk of leaving college, students who most need their degree or credential to start jobs or advance into better paying careers," Willis said.

In addition to providing financial support for students close to receiving their degrees or certificates, Ball allocated $1.2 million in funding to provide essential and emergency needs for students.

"Since the beginning of my college journey, I have received an educational scholarship, so I know how important scholarships are to students. Being a scholarship recipient has allowed me to be a fully immersed student," Kimbily Boyd, Howard Community College culinary student, shared at the news conference. "I am excited that the new Complete4Success Scholarship will help students just like me who need additional financial support to finish their education. Scholarships made all the difference for me and now the Complete4Success Scholarship will make a difference for others."

Information about applying for a Complete4Success Scholarship will be shared by officials when its available.