HCC Got a New Scholarship? That's Great. Where the Hell Was This When I Was Going There? 😂

Hagerstown Community College has a new scholarship, and as somebody who actually went there, I've got two reactions. First, that's great news. Second, where the hell was this shit when I was going there? 😂

F&M Trust has established the F&M Trust Presidents' Scholarship through the HCC Foundation. The announcement came October 9, although the funding commitment dates back to the college's 75th-anniversary campaign in 2021. The award is intended for students with demonstrated financial need.

Eligible applicants must live in Washington County, Maryland, or one of several Pennsylvania counties: Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Cumberland, Dauphin or Lancaster. That's a real opportunity for students in this region.

College costs money even when you're doing everything right.

I graduated from HCC, so I'm not looking at this as somebody who's never dealt with college expenses. Tuition is one thing. Then you've got books, transportation, bills, and whatever else life decides to throw at you while you're trying to get a damn education.

People love telling young adults to go to school and better themselves. Okay. With what money? Not everybody has parents who can pay tuition. Not everybody can stop working. Some people are raising families while trying to earn a degree.

Make sure students actually know about it.

HCC's scholarship application portal lists the new F&M Trust award with a December 1, 2026 deadline for the current application cycle. The college's general Foundation scholarship guidance typically calls for at least a 2.0 GPA and six enrolled credits, though individual awards can set additional conditions.

I couldn't verify a specific dollar amount for this new award from the announcement, so I'm not gonna make one up. Students should check the application itself for the latest eligibility and award details.

My take? I'm happy somebody coming through HCC after me might get help paying for school. I'm also a little salty I already graduated. 😂 But that's the kind of problem I don't mind having. If local businesses wanna put money toward education instead of just talking about it, shit, keep those announcements coming.