Academic Department Scholarships

HCC Academic Department Scholarships

Institutional scholarships and awards are primarily reserved for students attending classes on the main campus in Highland. Students attending the technical center and living on campus or with parents/guardians in Doniphan County are also eligible for institutional awards. Scholarships are not valid for online classes, whether or not a student is living on campus. 

General Guidelines

• First-year students attending the Highland campus full time (enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours) must live in Highland campus housing to be eligible for institutional scholarships. Exemptions are as follows: married students, students with dependents, students over 21 years of age, or those who residents of Doniphan, Brown, or Atchison counties. 
• All academic scholarships must be offered by June 1 for students starting the fall semester of that same year and November 1 for students starting in the spring semester.
• Cumulative and semester GPA requirements for all academic award/scholarships (with the exception of Math/Science) is 2.0. Math/Science cumulative and semester GPA requirement is 2.8. More stringent GPA requirements within departments are allowed but must be supervised by award sponsors.
• Academic Award/Scholarships are renewable scholarships worth tuition and book rental. Students with institutional scholarships must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours of on-campus classes per semester.
• Cumulative and semester GPA requirements for all technical awards is 2.0.
• In addition to the guidelines stated on the letter of intent, NJCAA athletes with an academic scholarship must maintain a 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher while attending Highland Community College. This requirement overrides any other GPA requirements stated on specific LOIs. 

Agriculture

The HCC Agriculture department offers scholarships in the amount of books and tuition for those students interested in agriculture careers such as ag economics, animal science, agronomy, forestry, or other natural resources. Students are required to take 6 credit hours of ag courses per academic year and enroll in 12 credit hours per semester. Scholarship students must maintain an overall cumulative and semester GPA of 2.0. Students must also participate in the required ag activities in order to renew the scholarship. Contact HCC Admissions for more information. 

Art

The HCC Art department is dedicated to helping talented students gain a solid foundation in the areas of fine art and commercial design. We currently award scholarships in the amount of books and tuition to full-time students interested in pursuing a career in art or design. Scholarship recipients are required to be enrolled in at least two 3 hour studio art class each semester, assist with HCC Art Day, submit work and assist in the set-up of the annual HCC Student Honors Art Show, maintain a 3.0 GPA in art courses, maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester, and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. For more information, contact Brigitte Bruna. 

Athletic Trainer

HCC's Athletic Training Department is looking for students who are interested in joining their student athletic training staff while continuing their education at HCC. The Athletic Training Department at HCC directs the health care delivery system used for all HCC student-athletes. Student athletic trainers receive a book and tuition scholarship. A minimum of 12 semester hours, a cumulative and semester GPA of 2.0, and participation in one athletic training course per semester is required in order to renew both the student athletic training position and the scholarship each semester. Students with this scholarship must also agree to comply with the additional requirements of the HCC Athletic Training Program. Contact Taten LeBlanc for more information. 

Business

The Business Department at Highland Community College offers books and tuition scholarships to full-time students interested in a career in Business. Students need to enroll in 6 credits of business each semester, maintain a grade average of "C" or above in all business classes, maintain a cumulative and semester 2.0 GPA overall. For more information, contact Laura Young. 

Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice Department offers books and tuition scholarships for students interested in law enforcement, corrections, court services, victim advocacy, pre-law, etc. The scholarship requirements include a cumulative and semester GPA of 2.0, at least one CJ course per semester, and participation in departmental sponsored community service projects. The scholarship is renewable for four subsequent semesters excluding summers and in adherence to the aforementioned criteria. Email our Human Services Department for more information. 

Education

HCC’s Education Department award is worth books and tuition for students who want to pursue a career in education. The student must enroll in Introduction to Education, Introduction to Early Childhood Education, and Lab 1 & 2. In addition, students wanting to maintain this scholarship must be an active member of the education club and maintain a 2.0 cumulative and semester GPA while enrolled at HCC. Email Pamela Fulbright for more information. 

English

The HCC English Department awards scholarships in the amount of books and tuition to full-time students interested in pursuing a career in an English related field. Prior to being awarded this scholarship, prospective recipients must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0, a qualifying ACT score of 18 or higher (Reading and Writing), SAT score of 310 or higher, Accuplacer score of 255 or higher, Asset score of 69 or higher, recent writing sample from an educational institution, in-person essay written at HCC, or other approved documentation as determined by English faculty. First-time recipients must submit a writing sample of at least 3 pages (either a formal essay or a creative piece) for review by the HCC English Department. Once awarded, scholarship recipients are required to enroll in a minimum of one on-campus college-level English course each semester (above and beyond degree requirements), be actively involved in the Scottie Prints Publication Club, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.8 each semester. For more information, contact Pamela Fulbright. 

Esports

 HCC Esports currently competes in Rocket League, Overwatch 2, Call of Duty, Super Smash Bros Ult, and Valorant. Scholarships in the amount of books and tuition are available to full-time students interested in competing in Esports. Prior to being awarded this scholarship, prospective recipients must have competitive gaming experience. Once awarded, scholarship recipients are required to appear at all practice and game times throughout the week. Recipients must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 each semester. For more information, contact Matt Ludwick.  

Graphic Design

Graphic Design is a transfer program for students wanting a career using graphic arts and techniques of visual communication.  This curriculum is suggested for those intending to complete an associate in arts degree at HCC and then transfer to another institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Graphic designers might work in advertising, publishing, or corporate settings creating visual designs to enhance a variety of products or messaging. For more information, contact Sam Perkins. 

Math/Science

The Math/Science Department of Highland Community College offers academic scholarships to students who are presently enrolled in math and science courses in high school. To receive a scholarship, students must have an ACT math score of 20 or higher OR an ACT science score of 20 or higher OR a cumulative high school GPA of 3.25. To remain eligible for this scholarship, students must have a minimum course load of 12 hours, enroll in a minimum of one College Level (College Algebra or higher) math or science course each semester, and maintain a 2.8 cumulative and semester GPA. Contact Liton Hasan for more information. 

Multimedia & Sports Management

Multimedia & Sports Management is geared toward students interested in pursuing a career in event/athletic game management or students interested in Athletic Management. Supervised by the HCC Athletic Department, students will get an opportunity to work in and around all of Highland’s 10 athletic programs. Scholarships in the amount of books and tuition are awarded to students each semester. Contact Tanner Holte for more information. 

Personal Fitness Training

This program is designed for individuals seeking or desiring employment as a personal trainer. Students will be provided with a solid background in the areas of fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Students will be prepared to complete the National Council on Strength and Fitness personal trainer exam.
Scholarships are worth books and tuition. Requirements for the Personal Training Program are as follows: An enrollment minimum of 12 hours is required. Students must have an overall 2.0 cumulative and semester GPA. Students must be enrolled in the courses outlined in the Personal Fitness Trainer degree sheet. Students must have a 2.5 or higher in the 3 Personal Trainer specific courses:

1. Personal Trainer Field Experience
2. The business of Personal Training
3. Personal Fitness Trainer

For more information, contact Angie Eberly. 

Psychology

The Psychology Department offers books and tuition scholarships for students interested in career opportunities including counselor (career, abuse, pediatric, mental health, domestic violence, school, marriage and family, etc.), social worker, psychologist, therapist, researcher. The scholarship requirements include a cumulative and semester GPA of 2.0, at least one Psychology course per semester, and participation in departmental sponsored community service projects. Email our Human Services Department for more information. 

Sociology & Social Work

The Sociology department offers books and tuition scholarships for students interested in sociology, social work, human services, and anthropology. The scholarship requirements include a cumulative and semester GPA of 2.0, enrollment in at least one sociology, human services, or anthropology course per semester, a 2.5 GPA in departmental courses, and participation in 5 hours of an activity or project related to the scholarship area per semester. The scholarship is renewable for four subsequent semesters excluding summers and in adherence to the aforementioned criteria. Email our Human Services Department for more information. 

Sophomore Academic

HCC’s sophomore academic scholarship honors academic excellence. This sophomore-level scholarship is for students who are returning to HCC. This scholarship may be awarded to a student who has earned 30 or more hours of college credit with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher and have passed 67% of attempted classes from HCC. Students must also be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours) at the Highland campus. The sophomore academic scholarship covers books and tuition. For more information, contact Dr. Eric Ingmire. 

Spirit Squad

The Scottie Spirit Squad performs at all home football and basketball games. These individuals work together to lead cheers, promote school spirit, and develop technical and choreography skills used in performance. Scholarships in the amount of book rental and tuition are awarded through a try-out. Spirit Squad members must maintain a cumulative and semester 2.0 GPA and enroll in the practice class and weight training class assigned to that group. For more information, contact Michelle Johnson.

 Vocal Music

Music awards are offered year-round to both music majors and non-majors interested in participating in vocal music at HCC's main campus. Awards are offered in the amount of book rental and tuition. Students are required to participate in either HCC Chorus or Lads & Lassies, enroll in a minimum of 12 hours, maintain a 2.5 GPA in all music coursework, and a 2.0 cumulative and semester GPA. Awards are also available to students interested in accompanying for our performance groups or sound technicians. For more information, please contact Shayna Leahy, Director of Vocal Music & Theory, 785-442-6092 or sleahy@highlandcc.edu.