Mary Tom Bass: Edgecombe County high school students commit to ECC

Forty-three Edgecombe County high school seniors recently declared their intention to attend Edgecombe Community College in the fall.

The community college honored the students at ECC Signing Day held at high schools in May. Signing Day is a national initiative to celebrate students for making a commitment to higher education.

Students, community college leaders and high school officials attended Signing Day events at North East Carolina Preparatory School west of Tarboro, North Edgecombe High School in Leggett, SouthWest Edgecombe High School north of Pinetops and Tarboro High School.

“We are celebrating you for completing high school and choosing to continue your education,” said Dr. Greg McLeod, president of ECC. “In a few years, you will walk across the stage at the college as a graduate. In the meantime, know that we have wonderful people and excellent resources and opportunities available to you at ECC, so be sure to take advantage of all that is available. We look forward to seeing you in the fall!”

Those 43 seniors represent more than 10 percent of the high school seniors in Edgecombe County who graduated in May. Of the 412 seniors who graduated high school in Edgecombe County in May, 348 were from Edgecombe County Public Schools and 64 were from North East Carolina Prep.

Among the 43 seniors who committed to ECC, 11 are EDGE Scholarship recipients. Through the EDGE Scholarship, students who qualify receive a full ride to attend ECC, including tuition, fees and books.

Other scholarship programs make attending ECC the most cost-effective choice for students and their families. For example, the Next NC Scholarship is a new financial aid program that helps qualified students by fully covering tuition and fees at the community college. The best part? The money doesn’t have to be repaid.

Fall classes begin Aug. 15. To get started on the enrollment process, please go to edgecombe.edu/future.