As of the 2011 fall semester, Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) will extend a 50 percent tuition waiver to all displaced disaster victims who lost their jobs and homes from the tornadoes in Alabama on April 27, 2011.

NW-SCC will provide the waiver to a limited number of current or new students beginning Fall Semester 2011. Students eligible for the 50% tuition waiver must have a current NW-SCC application for admission on file, complete the Tornado Relief Tuition Waiver application (in the financial aid office on either the Phil Campbell or Shoals campus) and meet the following qualifications:

• Documentation of loss of employment due to the April 27 tornadoes in Alabama.

• Documentation of loss of home due to the April 27

tornadoes in Alabama.

• Individuals cannot be eligible to receive funding under the

Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) or other similar and/or related state and/or federal workforce assistance programs; and cannot receive substantial tuition assistance from other sources.

This waiver will assist displaced workers and citizens from Northwest Alabama obtain a college education in academics or the necessary skills to re-enter the workforce.

As a part of the Alabama Community College System NW-SCC seeks to provide accessible quality educational opportunities, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for the people of Alabama.

“We feel it is our responsibility to provide those in dire circumstances the opportunity for academic and technical training,” NW-SCC President Humphrey Lee said. “Education is vital to improved living standards and continued fiscal growth for those devastated in our area by the events of April 27.

According to Laurel Turbyfill, NW-SCC Financial Aid Director, the college recognizes there is a compelling need to respond rapidly to meet the needs of the displaced citizens in our area and the tuition waiver makes it possible to begin or continue their education sooner.

“Delayed approval time is often an issue with some assistance programs for displaced workers. This waiver makes it possible for them and other citizens to initiate their education and retraining sooner.”

For more information, please contact the NW-SCC financial aid office at 256-331-5417 (Shoals Campus) or 256-331-6232 (Phil Campbell Campus).