Marion Technical College recently announced all courses during its two summer terms will be offered to students tuition-free as a result of what the school received from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF, through the CARES Act.
Marion Harding senior Katie Shoaf sat down with her mom, Susan, and a Marion Technical College admissions counselor Thursday, excited to schedule her first college courses.
Because of this summer attendance incentive offered by MTC, the graduating senior going into radiology decided to start her college career directly after graduation in order to capitalize on the opportunity to take her first course, Statistics, for free.
“I signed up for fall financial aid, so I would have had to pay for this class out of pocket almost, so when they said they were offering free summer classes, I got very excited because I wouldn’t have to pay that $600 for the class,” Shoaf said.
In order to participate in the summer courses tuition-free, there are two requirements for current or prospective students like Shoaf: that they apply or register for classes by April 15 and complete the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) by the time fees are due.
There will be two summer terms, a 12-week session starting May 16 and an 8-week session starting June 6. The deadline to register for both terms is April 15.
Marion Tech’s Vice President of Planning and Advancement Amy Adams pointed out that the June term could be appealing for graduating seniors like Shoaf who will be completing their high school careers in May.
She explained that the goal of the program is to incentivize Marion-area students to enroll in summer courses, whether or not they plan on staying with MTC.
“Our credits are transferrable to any other public institution in Ohio, so if there’s a student out there thinking, ‘I’m not sure. I really wanted to go somewhere else in the long run.’ Well, that’s okay. Start here and get a jump on the fall term as a new student and these credits will transfer,” she said.
“We’d prefer they stay here, but we are here to help our students.”
The free tuition will be offered on a first-come first-serve basis until the college uses all the money allotted to the program, which Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services and Chief Strategy Officer Bob Haas explained is a “substantial” amount and the school hopes to be able to accommodate as many students as possible.
“We’re excited about it because we think it’s going to give some students who would not otherwise be able to attend, it’s going to give them the chance to attend and pay that,” Haas said.
“That’s, I think, the most exciting part of it. It is a very unique opportunity and we’re very grateful to the federal government for providing the funding.”
Adams agreed, saying she hopes the free summer tuition program will encourage students to pursue higher education.
“I know a lot of times it’s really hard for students to think they can’t afford it, but we want to help them realize that they can afford it, so we’re hoping a lot of people will take advantage of it,” she said.
The funding used to pay for summer courses to provide to students could be used flexibly, and the college chose to use the money to invest in its students.
This is not the first time Marion Tech has offered free classes, but this will mark the incentive on the largest scale as a result of the federal investment with COVID relief dollars. The college is also using CARES funds to invest in technology infrastructure, boosting remote course offerings and upgrading an HVAC system.
While Shoaf said she is a little nervous to begin her college career directly out of high school, she is looking forward to getting to be an adult and keep her mind active before taking on a normal college course load come the fall term.
Haas said the college hopes this will be another draw to the free tuition – the opportunity to ease into the college learning environment, whether graduating seniors or older adults wanting to go back to school.
“We’re also hoping to encourage some people to try college for the first time. Summer tends to be a little more relaxed. Students tend to take one or two classes, and it is a compressed format,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s easier for some people to get started in the summer with one or two courses.”
Story by: Sophia Veneziano (740) 564 – 5243 | [email protected]
