p r o G r a m p r o G r a m

Community Scholarship
PRO G RAM
Community
Scholarship
Background
Access, affordability, and college readiness are three reasons students give for not attending college. The
Community Scholarship Program (CSP) will help address these barriers to postsecondary education. The
CSP will also improve the overall quality and skill level of Paducah/McCracken County’s workforce. Last
year approximately 25% of Paducah/McCracken County high school graduates did not attend college
anywhere. The CSP will help students continue their education after high school and prepare them to
enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year college/university.
Purpose
The intent of the CSP is to provide gap funding to assist students in attaining a two-year degree or
industry certification at West Kentucky Community & Technical College (WKCTC). The scholarship
will provide the full tuition cost of attendance (up to 60 credit hours) less the amount of financial
aid and/or other awarded scholarships. Enrolling in this opportunity does not commit you in
any way to attending WKCTC.
Scholarship Guidelines (high school)
• Student must be enrolled in a recognized high school.
• Student should enroll by October 1 of freshman year but
may enroll late at a reduced funding rate.
• Student must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA during
high school.*
• Student must achieve a minimum 95% cumulative
attendance record during high school.*
• Student must incur no major discipline referrals
during high school.*
• Student must complete high school in eight
consecutive semesters (four years).
• Student must complete GEN 100 –
Introduction to College (one credit-hour
tuition-waived course) while in high school.
•Student and parent/guardian must complete
FAFSA (application for financial aid) and
WKCTC scholarship application.
• Student must enroll at WKCTC as a fulltime student for the fall semester immediately
following high school graduation and
maintain full-time enrollment status to
remain eligible for the scholarship.
* certified by participating high school administration
Kentucky Community & Technical College System
Scholarship Guidelines
(WKCTC side)
• Student must maintain a minimum 2.5
GPA during their first year at WKCTC
in order to qualify for CSP during second
year at WKCTC.
• Student must maintain persistent semesterto-semester enrollment.
• CSP awards will apply up to 15 semester
hours at WKCTC each semester (after
approval for any federal, state or other
scholarship grants which the student is
eligible) up to five consecutive semesters,
or maximum of 60 credit hours.
Advantages/Impact
• Removes the barrier of affordability.
Parents and students will not have the
worry of who will pay for college tuition.
• Prepares students for college credit-bearing
coursework.
• Encourages positive academic habits.
• Provides students opportunites for
mentoring, tutoring, and networking with
the community and college leaders.
• Enables students to increase their income
through postsecondary credentials and
training.
• Will increase Paducah/McCracken
County’s college-going rate and lead to a
workforce-ready community.
Contact
For more information, contact:
Dr. Lisa Stephenson, CSP Director
270-534-3282
lisa.stephenson@kctcs.edu
Revised January 2014