By: Tim Allison, Executive Director at Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges
The Gift to the Class of 2021 is the gift of education: a free, three-credit community college course for any 2021 New Hampshire high school graduate this fall. More than $1 million was committed to this initiative through a partnership with The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to help students across the state continue their educational pathways beyond high school.
To date, nearly 700 students have received the gift and will attend a New Hampshire community college this fall. The goal is to give students an easy entry point, help remove financial barriers into higher education, and set them on a pathway to a rewarding career that will help them thrive.
The Class of 2021 faced an unprecedented amount of disruption over their final 18 months of high school and are deserving of a gift that can open doors to a rewarding future. We are focused on encouraging those without firm plans for the fall to have a conversation with an admissions officer at one of New Hampshire’s seven community colleges.
Over the past few weeks, we launched a mid-summer communications plan targeted at sharing this fantastic opportunity with graduates and their parents. Our plans included a postcard mailer to high school graduates, public service announcements on local radio stations, newspaper opinion articles from college presidents, and a digital marketing campaign. We have left no stone unturned and want to shout it from the rooftops.
It’s easy to participate: any student graduating from a New Hampshire high school in 2021 is eligible to take a free three-credit course of their choice, including classes that are part of a certificate or associate degree program. The Foundations’ pledge covers tuition and associated fees up to $755, while the colleges will work with students on course selection and other types of advising. Students must enroll with the college of their choice to qualify.
The deadline, however, is fast approaching, with most classes starting on August 30. Would you please help us share this opportunity so even more New Hampshire high school graduates start on a path to success? Please contact us with any questions via email at classgift@ccsnh.edu or visit the Gift to the Class of 2021 webpage for additional contact information and FAQ’s.
