INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE NEWS
NEW COLLEGE PROGRAM TO OFFER GRADUATING SENIORS FREE TUITION
INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE
TCBusiness.com 27
BY SUZANNE SELDES
In response to a pandemic that has
disrupted lives and derailed plans for
so many in the community, Indian River
State College recently revealed its most
significant investment ever in eliminating
barriers to higher education.
At a special assembly for Fort Pierce
Central High School seniors, the college
launched the IRSC Promise Program —
announcing tuition-free associate degrees
for qualifying 2022 high school graduates
from public and public charter schools in
Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St.
Lucie counties.
“IRSC exists to
change the lives of
those we are here
to serve,” IRSC president,
Dr. Timothy
Moore, announced.
“No matter your
background,
household income
or grade point
average, if you are
graduating from a public or public charter
high school in our service district this
spring, you can earn an A.A., A.S. or A.A.S.
from IRSC tuition-free. We are not going to
let anyone fall through the cracks.”
Sponsored by the IRSC Foundation, the
IRSC Promise Program comes at a critical
time. One million fewer students are
enrolled in higher education today than
two years ago. Consumer prices are 7.5%
above January 2021 and rising. For many
students and families, the cost of college
can feel out of reach.
“The cost of tuition should never prevent
anyone from pursuing their personal
and academic goals,” said Michael Hageloh,
interim vice president for Institutional
Advancement. “The IRSC Promise
Program, backed by the strength of the
IRSC Foundation and led by the vision of
the college’s district board of trustees, will
help countless individuals stay the course
and earn the education they require to
build the futures they deserve. It is the
ultimate investment in our community.”
Seventy-six percent of IRSC students
remain in their community after graduation,
contributing to the local economy as
workforce members and consumers.
The IRSC Promise Program aims to make
college education broadly accessible.
Students do not need to demonstrate
financial need and there is no GPA requirement
for acceptance to the program.
Once in the program, students must
maintain full-time enrollment status
during fall, spring and summer terms and
maintain satisfactory academic progress
as they pursue an Associate in Arts,
Associate in Science or Applied Associate
in Science Degree.
To take advantage of the program, eligible
high school seniors must commit to
IRSC by taking the Promise Pledge available
at promise.irsc.edu by May 15.
Go to promise.irsc.edu or send an
email to promise@irsc.edu for more
program details and a list of upcoming
information sessions.
IRSC president,
Dr. Timothy Moore
Fort Pierce Central High School Cobras engage
students at IRSC Promise Program Pep Rally.
High School Students
across the Treasure
Coast join in on
celebrating the IRSC
Promise Program.
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