So many Bucks County residents
are going through
financial hardships that
Bucks is now offering free
tuition for recently laid-off
residents.
There are a few requirements
needed to qualify for
no-cost education. To qualify,
you must be a resident of
Bucks County. You must also
have been laid-off from a fulltime
job within the last year,
and cannot be using any
financial aid or tuition reimbursement
programs from
your previous employer.
While the program covers
tuition costs, the student will
have to pay for their own
books and supplies. Students
who have paid full tuition
will have first priority in registering
for classes. Those
who are approved for the free
tuition will have to wait until
those students are finished.
The program launched at
the start of this semester.
“On Jan. 16, we had long lines
through the Gallagher room
as people waited to register,”
said Monica Flint, coordinator
of experiential learning.
It was not a stressful atmosphere,
Flint added.
“Everybody was good
humored and patient, and the
college registration staff and
advisers worked long hours
to make sure each unemployed
student received the
service they needed.”
The program will continue
through January 2010.
Students who enroll in this
program will be able to continue
their studies until
August 2010.
About 800 students applied
the first time around. “Every
one of the people I met who
are interested in the program
were extremely grateful to
the college, and were a pleasure
to work with,” Flint said
when asked about the applicants.
The unemployment rate in
Bucks County is the highest
in 16 years-as of December
the rate was at 5.7 percent.
The country is in an economic
struggle, and this program
helps many people
attend college even if they
cannot afford it. The program
allows students to earn
up to 30 credits in an academic
year, saving them almost
$3,000 a year in tuition.
For more information on
this program, you can visit
the Bucks website at
bucks.edu/careerservices.
Inquiries can also be sent by
email at [email protected] .