Cherokee County students will receive discount on tuition

Cherokee County residents will save money and mileage when Spartanburg Community College (SCC) campus begins its regular academic classes this fall.

About 360 Cherokee County students currently make the 60-mile round trip drive to attend classes at Spartanburg Community College. All students will now pay the same tuition rate at the college's Cherokee, Spartanburg and Tyger River campuses.

SCC President Dr. Dan Terhune said by paying an incounty tuition rates, students save an average of $333 each semester. Overall, Terhune said this will result in a savings of more than $1,500 for students working on a 2-year associate's degree at the college.

Terhune credited the cooperation of Cherokee County lawmakers with making it possible for Spartanburg Community College to pass lower tuition costs on to local students. Local lawmakers helped obtain $2 million in funding towards construction and operation costs for the SCC Cherokee County branch campus.

"We were able to offer the in-county tuition for Cherokee County residents largely because of the leadership shown by Hoke Parris and county council, state Senator Harvey Peeler and the legislative delegation. Their willingness to work together with the college has allowed us to develop the SCC Cherokee County Campus to where it is now," Terhune said. "The (Spartanburg Community College) commission was very happy to provide this tuition break for students to continue their education."

New executive director Daryl Smith was among several employees who moved into offices in the SCC Business and Industry Training Center last week.

Continuing education classes will start April 11 in the new building. The continuing education classes are designed as non-credit, short term classes to help students get additional training to further their careers.

Spartanburg Community College is on track to finish construction on the academic building in August, Smith said. Classes for the fall semester start Sept. 17.

While general education courses are the initial focus, Smith said the college will seek input from local residents on offering more specific programs that best serve the needs of Cherokee County.

Spartanburg Community College has partnered with Duke Energy as it works to bring a nuclear energy plant in Gaffney. This fall, the SCC Cherokee County campus will offer a two-year associate's degree in occupational technology with a major in radiation protection.

Residents can register for next month's continuing education classes online at www.sccsc.edu/conted or by calling toll free at 1-877-592- 4402.