NW-SCC offers Jump Start class

Spring graduation is just around the corner for high school seniors, and Northwest-Shoals Community College is once again offering a program that can help students financially as they pursue their post-high school dreams: the Jump Start class.

According to assistant dean of student success Crystal Reed, the college has provided the Jump Start class for at least 10 years now. The class is available for students who graduate in spring 2018 with a high school diploma. Priority deadline to apply is April 1.

“Students can apply after that, but it could hinder their application process,” Reed said.

For those who qualify, they can register for a free class up to the value of a four-hour class, or $584, which covers tuition and fees but not books. Some examples of a four-hour class would be a science class with a lab, a high-level math class or a Spanish class.

The Jump Start class is only available in the summer and includes general classes, online classes and career technical classes. Students can choose either of the “mini-mesters,” from May 29 through June 28 or June 29 through July 31, or they can choose the full summer semester from May 29 through July 31.

“Students must fill out the FAFSA application to see if they qualify for the course,” Reed said.

FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, can be completed at www.fafsa.gov. After that, students need to submit an application for admission to NW-SCC then wait about five days to contact the financial aid office to see how to proceed.

“(Jump Start) is intended for students who don’t receive any financial aid like Pell grants,” Reed said.

Taking a Jump Start class will not affect any other financial aid or plans a student might have to attend a different school in the fall, according to Reed.