In August, North Carolina directed $95.6 million in funding to help support K-12 and postsecondary students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2020-2021 school year. Included in that funding are scholarships for Workforce and Continuing Education students enrolled in the following ten programs of study: Automotive, Aircraft Maintenance, Construction, Criminal Justice, EMS, Healthcare, Industrial/Manufacturing, Information Technology, Transportation, and Fire and Rescue Services.
GEER scholarships, called Viking Works at Sampson Community College, help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, etc. for students enrolled in any of the Workforce Development and Continuing Education program pathways mentioned. Up to $750 of scholarships may be awarded per course.
These funds are available to all Workforce Development and Continuing Education students who have been affected by COVID-19 in anyway and are enrolled in a class or pathway that is at least 96 hours or more and leads to a credential. Some examples available at Sampson are EMS, Nurse Aide I and II, EKG Technician, Information Technology, Truck Driving, and the Fire Academy. New courses in the Spring, Medical Administrative Assistant and Electronic Health Records Specialist, are also eligible for Viking Works funds.
Dean of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, Amanda Bradshaw, says the Viking Works funds will be instrumental in allowing students the opportunity to pursue short-term workforce training without the worry of cost.
“These funds will allow barriers to be removed for students looking to further their education opportunities with short-term workforce training. The impact of this will be huge on our local, state, and regional economy as Sampson County takes strides toward returning to work,” Bradshaw explained.
Contact the Workforce Development & Continuing Education offices for more details at 910.592.7176 or visit sampsoncc.edu/wdce.
About Sampson Community College: Sampson Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System, located in Clinton, NC in Sampson County. The college offers many programs to include two-year degrees, college transfer, continuing education and workforce development options, and early college education.
