Foundations To New Hampshire Grads: Want A Free College Class?

CONCORD, NH — Two New Hampshire foundations are joining together to pool more than $1 million to assist Class of 2021 high school graduates to start their college careers at the Community College System of New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Foundation for NH Community Colleges made the announcement on Wednesday, calling it "an early graduation gift" of "a free class at any of New Hampshire’s seven community colleges in the fall." The foundations will also offer additional support, advisory, and other services, to assist students with an "easy entry point" into higher education and into rewarding careers.

The Community College System of New Hampshire serves more than 26,000 students annually at locations in Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Keene, Laconia, Lebanon, Littleton, Manchester, Nashua, North Conway, Portsmouth, and Rochester. The schools offer hundreds of certificate and degree programs in business, hospitality, law enforcement, nursing, social sciences, and many other fields.

Richard Ober, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, said graduates this year have "persevered" to finish their high school careers "under extraordinarily challenging circumstances."

He added, "New Hampshire’s graduating seniors should be incredibly proud, and you should know that New Hampshire is proud of you. We hope that this gift, made possible by hundreds of generous New Hampshire people who are rooting for you, will help you take the next step toward your dreams."

No standardized test will be required for the classes and the gift covers tuition and associated fees. The colleges will also work with students to help with course selection.

"I am grateful for the generosity that made this class gift possible, and for the recognition of the impact this pandemic year has had on students completing high school during a very challenging time," Susan Huard, the system's interim chancellor, said. "I hope New Hampshire students take advantage of this wonderful opportunity not only to gain a free course but also put themselves on a path to college success at institutions that are ready and eager to help them take that next step."

Michael Turmelle, the director of education and career initiatives at the Charitable Foundation, said the org wanted to create "an easy way for students to take this important step toward their future success" since students have "endured unprecedented disruption" while being "separated from all of the usual in-school experiences and services that graduating seniors can usually count on."

Gov. Chris Sununu congratulated the foundations for helping students make that "big step" to get their foot in the door.

"The work that has been undertaken by the Community College System and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation will open doors and provide a unique opportunity to New Hampshire high school seniors," he said.

Watch the announcement on YouTube.com.

For more information about the "Gift to the Class of 2021," visit GiveNHCC.org/ClassGift.

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