Thanks to the Dare County Guarantee Scholarship Program, funded by the Dare County Board of Commissioners, you may be able to attend College of The Albemarle (COA) with no out-of-pocket expenses for tuition and fees. Curriculum and high demand Workforce Development and Career Readiness (WDCR) programs (continuing education) are included, with priority given to those attending COA – Dare.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners have pledged $250,000 for tuition and fees to graduating Dare County seniors who enroll full-time at College of the Albemarle (COA) in associate degree or technical programs.

Students must first complete the COA Foundation Scholarship and Federal Financial Aid Application (FASFA) processes. Any scholarship funds awarded through those processes will be utilized first.  While funds are available, the Dare Guarantee will cover any unmet tuition and fees at the College of the Albemarle.

The Dare County Guarantee may provide funds per student, per semester, for costs of textbooks and computer needs. Such funding is subject to a pro-rated amount based off the remaining available funds. 

First priority for funds will be given to students enrolled full-time (12 hours or more) at the Dare County Campus of the College of the Albemarle in Curriculum (CU) or Workforce Development programs. Second priority for funds will be given to students enrolled in CU or a Workforce Development program at any other College of the Albemarle campus.

Details on eligible curriculum and programs are still being finalized. 

Dare County high school graduates from public, private and home schools who meet the following criteria:  

• Dare County resident
• High school graduate from a public school, private school or home school located in Dare County
• United States citizen or documented lawful permanent resident
• Must enroll and begin attendance at COA within 24 months of graduation from high school, private school or home school

Any remaining funds available from the prior year can be applied to any Dare County residents with priority given to workforce needs for any COA campus and any program. To be eligible to receive funding under this program, students must be:

• A Dare County resident and;
• A U.S. Citizen or documented lawful permanent resident.

The Dare Guarantee will cover any unmet tuition, fees and educational expenses for a qualifying student (at the in-state rate) while funds are available. The maximum award for a curriculum student is $6,000 to cover the academic year. The actual cost of the continuing education program will be paid in full after additional scholarships have been applied to their account.

To remain eligible for the Dare County Guarantee Scholarship, students must:

• Maintain a minimum 2.0 in college coursework and complete at least 67% of credit hours attempted each semester
• Complete the federal financial aid (FAFSA) and COA Foundation Scholarship applications annually
• Students will be allowed no more than two programs of study changes