MCC offering free tuition

Some students will attend McHenry County College for free beginning next year through a new $3 million scholarship program funded by private donors, the college announced Monday.

The MCC Promise - supported by local residents and businesses - will cover tuition costs not covered by other scholarships or grants for nearly 4,000 students pursuing a two-year associate's degree or certificate. Tuition currently costs $77 per credit hour.

All graduating high school seniors who attended school within McHenry County College District 528 and live in the district are eligible.

To keep the scholarship, students must maintain a 2.0 or better grade point average and complete at least 32 hours of volunteer work during the year.

College spokeswoman Christina Haggerty said MCC Promise is the first community-based scholarship program in the college's history.

"It's completely community-driven," she said. "It's a program that will take a community to keep up."

The first MCC Promise recipients will begin classes at MCC in September 2009.

"The community of McHenry has rallied behind the premise of providing its youth with the opportunity for a better future," said Ron Parrish, MCC Foundation Board and Promise Committee Chairman.

The fund currently holds more than $3 million and will need about $300,000 annually to continue.