Wor-Wic scholarship plan passed by council

It’s official. The Wicomico County Economic Impact Scholarship Program will be in effect for the fall 2016 semester. Providing financial assistance to prospective Wor-Wic students while aiming to improve graduation rates.

“It’ll give the students who are coming out of high school the opportunity to go to college, where they might think that they don’t have as good an opportunity.” Said Wicomico County Council President, John Cannon.

In a 4-2 vote at Tuesday’s meeting, council approved the first year of a possible three-year-program. County high school graduates, including those who are home schooled, can receive up to about $3,000 if they meet a number of requirements. Cannon, who voted in favor of the plan, tells 47 ABC that funding for the first year of the program will cost about $250,000. If approved for a second and third year, the program would cost the county nearly $1.5-million.

“At one of the public hearings we had, a woman who stood up said that she personally felt that kids that are in school, and wondering about what their future might be, and thinking after high school, I’m done, it’s over.” Cannon said.

District 2 Councilman Marc Kilmer offers a differing opinion. He and Joe Holloway were the two council members who voted against the program. Kilmer tells 47 ABC that having a surplus in county funds doesn’t necessarily mean that the money needs to be spent. Instead, he advocates for an alternate approach in improving graduation rates.

“If we’re going to have a program like this, let’s look at why these people don’t finish Wor-Wic, what their barriers are to graduation, what their barriers are to getting their associate’s degree and let’s design a program to address those barriers.”

Before council voted on the measure, Kilmer says he brought forth an amendment to the plan to try and limit the program to those with more of a need. The amendment knocked down the average household income requirement from $110,000 or less, to $75,000 or less.

In a statement to 47 ABC, Wor-Wic president, Dr. Ray Hoy said:

“As a Wicomico County resident, I am so pleased with this initiative that County Executive Bob Culver put forward and received endorsement from the County Council. The intent of the program is to increase the percent of population with a college degree and reduce the brain drain, provide a more educated workforce for our businesses and encourage new businesses to consider our community with the knowledge that we will have a skilled workforce. This has great value to our community. As president of Wor-Wic, I can tell you that the college is prepared to support the students who may not have ever considered college before, but will have an opportunity due to this program. We are excited to begin dealing with the scholarship applicants and get them prepared for fall.”

The deadline to apply for the program is July 29th.

Here is a list of requirements for the program according to county council. A student must have:

• been a resident of Wicomico County for at least the past two years:
• attended a public, private or home school in Wicomico County for at least the past two years:
• have an average household income of $75,000 or less as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
• completed all high school graduation requirements:
• applied for admission into a degree or certificate program at Wor-Wic:
• completed the application process for all federal, state and institutional financial aid, and a Wicomico County economic impact scholarship by July 29th:
• ensured that their final official high school transcript has been received by Wor-Wic’s admissions office by July 31:
• registered for 12 or more credit hours at Wor-Wic in the fall term immediately after graduating from high school: and
• Attended a scholarship orientation session before their entry semester.