Work4College FAQs

The NTCC Work4College Program is a program that allows students the opportunity to earn their degree at NTCC. The goal is two-fold. One, give every student the opportunity to attend college without acquiring debt. And, two, give the student a hands-on learning experience in a meaningful area allowing them to earn while they learn. Students will get their hands dirty working on the college farm. Or, they may spend the summer painting classrooms and dorm rooms or pulling weeds and mowing. Many of them might work in the student Services area giving tours, recruiting new students, or even helping students fill out financial aid. All work has one thing in common, if the students weren’t doing it, it would have to be done by someone else. Due to the value of the work, the program has expanded to include up to 12 different learning areas all over the campus. Work ethic, time management, interview skills, knowledge of other things expected of them in the workplace, along with completing a community service project, are all a part of the student’s learning experience in the Work4College Program.

The program starts the first day of NTCC’s summer session one and ends the last day of summer session two. It lasts ten weeks.

Any student who will be completing the 10th grade or above before the summer starts, and plans on attending NTCC in the future, can be in the program.

Yes, the maximum is two years.

No. If you are under 18, your parents or legal guardian will have to sign your Work4College Program Contract. You must have completed at least tenth grade!

No. 

Students earn a total of $15 per hour. Out of this, $7.50 goes directly into their pockets. $7.50 is set aside in an account that will be used to pay toward their tuition, fees, books and/or room and board at NTCC (scholarship credits). The students in the program will get paid every two weeks (pocket money). The remaining funds (scholarship credits) will be applied to their accounts at NTCC.

15 hours a week is the maximum allowed in the program.

If you work every hour possible (15) of every week (10) you will have worked 150 hours. 150 hours times $15 per hour equals $2,250. Of this, $1,125 will be take home pay and $1,125 will be scholarship credit.

No. We understand there may be very valid reasons for missing work, and, it is okay to miss work for excused reasons. However, in this program, there is a 15 hour per week maximum and no missed hours can be made up. No exceptions.

You earn one credit for every dollar earned in the program. For example, if you make $1,000 you will have $1,000 worth of scholarship credits.

You can use up to 50% of your credits the fall semester after completing the program. The remaining funds can be used for following semesters.

No. These scholarship credits can only be used by the person who earned them and they can only be used toward tuition, fees, and books.

Yes, you can begin using the scholarship credits you earn immediately after the summer you participate in the program. 

No. You can begin using your scholarship credits in the first semester you enroll AFTER completing the program.

No. The scholarship credits can ONLY be used toward tuition, fees, and books.

Yes. The class is a very important part of the program. The curriculum deals with life-skills. Associated topics include, but are not limited to the following: orientation, gratitude, letter writing, team building, career assessment, resume building, civics, manners, ethics and morals, financial literacy, college success, etc. There is also a community service component associated with the class. All first year students must complete 20 hours of community service while in the W4C Program class. The community service coordinator will work with the students on assigned projects.

The class meets once a week from 12:30 to 2:00 (on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday). You will be assigned a class meeting day based upon the work assignment you are given.

You do not have to take the whole class your second year in the program, but you will have to report to a class three times during the summer (dates to be determined).

Yes, it is a one hour credit course and the cost is covered with a scholarship for being in the program.

You will receive any accrued scholarship credits on your account once you enroll for future NTCC classes (you don’t lose any built up credits). However, you will be responsible for dropping the Leadership class you will be enrolled in.

You cannot drop the Leadership class if you are in the program. However, if you drop out or, are removed from the program, you will be responsible for the cost of the class. You can use scholarship credits to cover this cost.

There are many jobs ranging from work on the farm, housing, athletics, maintenance, lab assistants, library, student services, recruiting, automotive shop, etc.

Yes. And, it will be your responsibility to get with your supervisor and make sure you know what that dress code is. 

No. If you are in the program you cannot work in another job at the College. However, some of our students have other jobs in the community that they may continue to work in as long as their schedule permits.

No, you do not get to pick your work assignment. You will be given a list of all work assignments and asked to pick your top three choices. We try to put you in an area you are interested in but there are no guarantees.

This will be handled on a case-by-case basis. All absences are either excused or unexcused. Your supervisor has the right to dismiss you from the program for any disciplinary reason, including, but not limited to, unexcused absences. We understand many of the students’ families will be going on vacation in the summer. You are able to miss work for vacation and/or camps (to a reasonable extent). These absences should be worked out with your supervisor in advance. However, if you do miss work for vacation, camps, etc., this work cannot be made up in future weeks. All students are limited to a maximum of 15 hours per week.

Transportation, in this program along with in any job you have in the future, is your responsibility. However, if you are having to drive from a long distance you may be able to work out a flexible schedule with your supervisor. For example, if you drive to campus from Winnsboro, instead of driving four days a week and working half day shifts, you may be able to schedule it where you drive here two days a week and work full day shifts. This is just one example and in this case (as any other situation) it will be up to each individual supervisor and should be settled before you start the program.

Yes. Although you will be in a class and you will be learning a lot, this is not school. This is a job. Just like any job, you can be fired for many different reasons. These include, but are not limited to the following: lack of attendance, poor attitude, failure to follow instructions, causing problems, etc. However, the intent of this program is to teach you how to work so none of these would ever become issues.

To use your scholarship credits at NTCC, you must apply them to your account within two years of your high school graduation or two years upon completion of the program- whichever comes last. Student will forfeit any remaining scholarship credit.

This is a privately funded program. Individuals and businesses in the local community along with private foundations provide the funds to the NTCC Foundation to support the NTCC Work4College Program.

If you have completed two years in the W4C Program before graduating high school AND you have also completed your associate’s degree at NTCC, any remaining scholarship credits left on your account may be transferred to the university you are attending. Ex: In order to qualify, you would need to be enrolled in and complete the W4C Program after both your sophomore and junior year in high school. You must also complete your associate’s degree at NTCC and enroll in a university the following semester—all remaining credits will be transferred to your account at the university. Please see the Director of the W4C Program for a W4C University Transfer Application

Applications are available online beginning January 12 and are due on April 12.

This is a competitive scholarship and is awarded based on a 50 point scoring system. An applicant receives 10 points for their transcript (regardless of grades), 10 points for a reference letter, and up to 30 points for an essay. The transcript and the reference letter points are automatic. You are awarded 20 points just for showing that you can follow instructions. The essay is the most important part. You can receive up to 30 points on the essay. Each essay is scored by three volunteer readers from the community. Scores are then tabulated and all applicants receive an award or regret letter by May 1st from the Work4College Program Director.

Yes.

Contact the Work4College Program Director, Mason May, by email mmay@ntcc.edu or call (903) 434-8246

Students get paid for every two weeks.  There are five pay periods for the ten week summer session.