FREE Tuition for Fall 2026 First Time Students with HCTC Promise | HCTC

Affording College

FREE Tuition for Fall 2026 First Time Students with HCTC Promise

Not enough or any financial aid? No worries! HCTC Promise — We’ve got you covered!

HCTC is making a promise to any first-time, credential-seeking students enrolling in the Fall 2026 semester that we’ve got your back!

This is a “last dollar in” scholarship, which means after all your other aid (PELL, CAP, KEES, Work-Ready Scholarship, grants, third-party scholarships, etc.) has been applied, the HCTC Promise scholarship will cover the remaining balance for:

  • Tuition of up to 15 credit hours, with a six credit hour minimum (only program applicable courses)
  • All fees
  • Online course charges

Promise is limited to $1,112 for truck driving/CDL and $2,244 for lineworker training, with a combined maximum of $3,366 for both. 

This is OUR promise to YOU that, as a first-time student, you will pay ZERO tuition your first year at HCTC! *Eligibility extends to any first-time, credential-seeking Kentucky residents and any Kentucky Class of 2026 seniors, including those who have taken dual credit classes. Classes must be taken consecutively (two semesters back-to-back). 

Contact HCTC Dean of Advancement Carla Seals at (606) 487-3072 or at carla.seals@kctcs.edu for more information.

Please note: Other KCTCS college students, visiting students, students with prior college credit(s) (excluding dual-credit hours), as well as current high school students, are ineligible, as are the costs of program kits, tools, and books/resources.

* Eligible students must complete their FAFSA and MUST take HCTC classes and have HCTC listed as their home campus. Students must also maintain a 2.0 GPA and complete the Fall 2026 semester to be eligible for the scholarship in Spring 2027.

** HCTC Promise will cover tuition for up to 15 credit hours. All of the courses within those 15 credit hours must be completed at Hazard Community & Technical College. This means that coverage for courses completed through other Kentucky community and technical colleges, four-year partner institutions, or any other higher education learning provider will not be included. 

 

*** Winter session class/classes would be included as part of your Spring enrollment limit of 15 hours.