Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIV, Issue II Fall 2020 | Page 15

especially those who wisely attend Florida public
colleges. Our own Pasco-Hernando State College
is a sometimes overlooked option, despite its five
convenient campuses, low tuition and fees, and
opportunities to complete a bachelor’s degrees or
transfer to Florida’s university system.
Options to Graduate Debt-free at PHSC:
Dual Enrollment (DE): Each year, ambitious high
school students graduate with Associate in Arts
Degrees within weeks of high school graduation,
thanks to articulation agreements between PHSC
and the Pasco and Hernando county school
districts. In Fall 2019, 1,397 (unduplicated) high
school students were enrolled in dual enrollment
classes offered on PHSC and high school campuses
at no cost to families. Dually-enrolled students
simultaneously earn high school and college credit
—meeting high school graduation requirements
while securing college credits that apply to PHSC
degree programs. The credits are also transferable
to any public college or university.
Bright Futures/Florida State Aid: Students
may qualify for one of four levels of aid through
Bright Futures, with the top tier providing tuition
reimbursement at 100 percent, plus funds for
textbooks. Stay informed, as requirements can
change annually.
Pell Grant: This valuable federal program provides
funds that do not have to be repaid. PELL grants are
based on income and other factors. More than 40
percent of PHSC students are eligible for maximum
Federal Pell Grant funding.
PHSC Foundation Scholarships: A simple, onestep
application matches scholarship requests to
hundreds of institutional scholarships. Risk leaving
thousands of dollars on the table if you assume that
you don’t qualify. In 2018-2019, more than a million
dollars in scholarships were awarded to nearly 1,000
PHSC students.
Work-Study: Students can work at PHSC,
gaining real-world experience with jobs scheduled
conveniently around classes. Some former workstudy
students become so effective in their roles
that they fill full-time positions at PHSC.
Veteran Benefits: Veteran and military family
members may qualify for veterans education
benefits. Each PHSC campus has a Veterans
Advisor available to assist students in applying for
benefits and certifying enrollment to receive funding
from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Some
VA students may also qualify for additional financial
aid funding to assist with enrollment costs and
living expenses. PHSC proudly supports more
than 400 currently enrolled student veterans and
family members.
Earn as you Learn: “Stackable credentials” allow
students to earn college credit certificates that
transfer seamlessly to Associate in Science degrees
— building resumes as they earn credentials. PHSC
offers 58 career and technical programs in addition
to 27 AS degree programs and two bachelor’s
degrees with options to transfer to Florida’s
university system. PHSC has launched countless
impressive academic and professional careers.
Doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, nurses, dentists,
teachers, pilots, IT professionals — our 72,000
alums can be found in virtually every profession.
FAFSFA First: All students seeking financial
aid must process this form ASAP. High school
guidance counselors and PHSC financial aid
advisors can help. Regardless of income, whether
students qualify for state and federal funds and/or
scholarships rests on the completion of this form.
Pandemic aside, there are many good reasons
to consider PHSC, including quality instruction
provided by credentialed professors, with most
classes capped at 30 or fewer students. At some
point, free cultural events, lectures, athletics, and
intramural programs will return to PHSC campuses.
Students can engage with classmates in more than
60 student clubs and organizations, some of which
will be available online until the college returns to
campus-based operations. Attending PHSC allows
many students to live safely at home in a setting
more conducive to social distancing, without the
expense of campus housing, meal plans and
parking fees.
Is it possible to graduate from college debt-free?
The answer is closer than you think.
Imagine, Believe, Achieve.
About the columnist: Dr. Rao Musunuru, a nationally
recognized local cardiologist, has been continually
serving as a member of the Board of Trustees
for PHSC (formerly PHCC) since 1999. He is the
recipient of the 2013 Southern Regional Trustee
Leadership Award from the National Association of
Community College Trustees.
The data included in this column is current as of
the 2019-20 academic year, as reported in PHSC’s
Institutional Fact Book.
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