RichmondCC Guarantee
While the cost of college is on the rise at a national level, Richmond Community College continues to put into place strategies that will keep college affordable for the residents of Richmond and Scotland counties. 
Under the plan of the RichmondCC Guarantee, the College is offering two years of free in-state tuition and fees to legal residents of Richmond and Scotland counties.
*RichmondCC Guarantee does not cover the cost of books or course specific fees (such as Cengage All-Access textbook charges, CNA book charge, student malpractice liability insurance charge, and tool kit fees associated with certain classes).
Who Is Eligible for the Guarantee?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a legal resident and remain a resident of Richmond or Scotland counties.
- Have successfully completed at least two dual enrollment courses and be in good academic standing with RichmondCC.*
- Graduate high school with at least a 3.0 unweighted grade-point average (GPA).**
- Must start classes at RichmondCC the semester following high school completion.
*Good academic standing is a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of each semester.
**Consideration will be given to students with a 2.8-2.99 unweighted GPA accompanied by a principal’s recommendation.
Continued Eligibility
- Maintain good academic standing with RichmondCC by having a minimum 2.0 GPA at the end of every semester.
- Be continuously enrolled every semester (excluding summer).
- Enroll in and complete 2 classes, or 6 hours, every semester (excluding summer).
- After completing the Guarantee Program and Graduating from your registered program of study, you are no longer eligible.
- Students wishing to take a continuing education program must have a specific career plan on file with Student Services at RichmondCC.
Enrollment Deadlines
Deadline for SPRING 2025 high school graduates: Everything must be turned in by July 31, 2025, to be a Guarantee student.
Deadline for WINTER 2025 high school graduates: Everything must be turned in by January 30, 2026, to be a Guarantee student.
- CFNC Application
- RDS Application (and supporting documents if needed)
- FAFSA Application* (RichmondCC's federal school code is 005464)
- Submit final high school transcript
- Meet with a RichmondCC Academic Counselor to be admitted as a regular student, and to register for classes.
*If you are eligible to receive full Pell Grant funds, you will not be classified as a Guarantee student.
*If you choose to opt out of receiving Pell you may do so by completing the Cancellation to Apply for Financial Aid Form.
- CFNC Application
- RDS Application (and supporting documents if needed)
- FAFSA Application* (RichmondCC's federal school code is 005464)
- Submit final high school transcript
- Meet with a RichmondCC Academic Counselor to be admitted as a regular student, and to register for classes.
- Winter graduates do not have to start the spring semester, but they must start by the following fall semester without having attended another college/university prior.
*If you are eligible to receive full Pell Grant funds, you will not be classified as a Guarantee student.
Huge Savings to You
By guaranteeing free college tuition and fees at RichmondCC for two years, we are providing people with a savings of $4,800, depending on the program and courses.
Parents: Planning Begins Now
The FIRST STEP to putting your child on the path to the RichmondCC Guarantee begins when your child is a junior or senior in high school, which is when he or she can enroll in RichmondCC’s dual enrollment program. Have your child talk to his or her high school advisor about dual enrollment at RichmondCC, or call RichmondCC at (910) 410-1730 to talk to one of our college counselors. Visit Dual Enrollment. You can always visit Richmond Community College at our campus in Hamlet or Laurinburg.
Funding for the RichmondCC Guarantee is contingent on all source of funds available to the student: federal and state aid, internal RichmondCC scholarships, other RichmondCC funds (if necessary). Eligible aid shall be awarded in this order.
Additional terms and conditions may apply.