Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the RichmondCC Guarantee?

The Richmond Community College Guarantee helps eligible recent high school graduates from Richmond and Scotland counties pay for college for up to 2 years. Our goal is for students to gain job-ready skills through Continuing Education or complete a transfer pathway to a four-year college to continue their career goals. The Guarantee covers tuition and traditional fees for courses that are part of the student’s approved career plan or program of study. The student is responsible for paying book fees and supply fees.*

* The Guarantee can last up to 2 years. The Guarantee ends early if the student completes their program requirements OR completes their career plan. This means the Guarantee may end before 2 years if these requirements are met sooner.

2. What are the deadlines to be considered a RichmondCC Guarantee student?

The deadline for spring graduates is July 1, 2026.
The deadline for winter graduates who will start spring semester is Dec. 15, 2026.
For students graduating before summer semester begins on May 26, 2026, and want to start their Guarantee during the summer semester, deadline will be May 1, 2026.

After the deadlines have passed, you will not be eligible to be classified as a Guarantee student.

3. Should I apply for financial aid? Should I complete a FAFSA?

Completing the FAFSA is required to be eligible for the Guarantee. If you are eligible to receive Pell Grant funds, Pell will pay first.

4. What are the eligibility requirements?

Be a legal resident and remain a resident of Richmond or Scotland County.
Have successfully completed at least two dual enrollment courses through the Career & College Promise program and have a minimum RichmondCC GPA of 2.8 for your college classes.
For Continuing Education (CE) courses, you must successfully complete at least 96 contact hours (9.6 CEU) through the Career & College Promise program and have a RichmondCC GPA of at least 2.8.
Graduate high school with at least a 2.8 unweighted GPA.
Must complete the FAFSA application AND the RichmondCC General Scholarship application.
Must complete a Guarantee Career Plan with a RichmondCC advisor, be registered and admitted as a student.
Must start classes at RichmondCC the semester following high school completion.

5. How do I apply for the RichmondCC Guarantee? How do I know if I’m a Guarantee student?

You will apply to the college as a traditional student; however, there is no longer a separate application for the RichmondCC Guarantee. Eligible students will automatically receive a packet from the Director of K-12 Partnerships with information on the next steps.

6. What must I do to continue as a Guarantee student?

Maintain a minimum 2.8 GPA with RichmondCC each semester.
Enroll in and complete at least 3 classes (or at least 9 credit hours) every semester excluding summer.
For Continuing Education (CE) programs, enroll in and complete at least 144 contact hours (14.4 CEU) every semester (excluding summer).
Follow your Guarantee Career Plan. If you decide to change your program of study, you must meet with a RichmondCC advisor to update your Guarantee Career Plan prior to registering for upcoming semester. Guarantee students are allowed to change their career plan/program of study one time.
Be continuously enrolled each semester excluding summer.

7. Do I have to register for a certain number of hours if I am a Guarantee student?

Yes, students must register for at least 3 classes OR at least 9 credit hours every semester excluding summer. Students wishing to take a Continuing Education (CE) program must enroll in and complete at least 144 contact hours (14.4 CEU) every semester excluding summer.

8. What happens if I withdraw from or fail a class with the Guarantee program?

If your grade point average drops below a 2.8 at the end of any semester, you are no longer eligible to be a RichmondCC Guarantee student.
You can withdraw from classes, but you must successfully complete at least 3 classes (or 9 credit hours) each semester, or you will no longer be a Guarantee student.
For Continuing Education (CE) programs, you can withdraw from classes, but you must successfully complete at least 144 contact hours (14.4 CEU) each semester, or you will no longer be a Guarantee student.

9. Does the RichmondCC Guarantee cover the cost of books?

No, the RichmondCC Guarantee only covers the costs of tuition and traditional fees. All students are required to pay book fees and supply fees. Some specialized programs may have additional fees not covered by the Guarantee. For example, nursing programs and certain continuing education (CE) programs.

10. Will the RichmondCC Guarantee cover summer classes?

The RichmondCC Guarantee will pay for classes for up to two summer semesters.

11. Can I lose my status as a RichmondCC Guarantee student?

Yes, you may lose your status as a RichmondCC Guarantee student by:

Failing to maintain a 2.8 GPA each semester
Withdrawing from all of your classes
Not returning the following semester (excluding summer)
Not completing at least 3 classes or at least 9 credit hours each semester (excluding summer) or for CE students not completing at least 144 Contact Hours (14.4 CEU) each semester (excluding summer)
Disciplinary actions which result in suspension or expulsion

12. Can I attend another college/university after high school and still be a Guarantee Student?

No, RichmondCC must be your first choice after graduation from high school. Students will not be able to skip a semester then return the following semester as a Guarantee student.

13. If a student loses his or her status as a RichmondCC Guarantee student, can he or she get it back?

No, once you lose your Guarantee status you cannot get it back.