Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) Academics and Admissions

Academics

Hazard Community and Technical College is part of a 16-school network of similar institutions throughout the state of Kentucky. The Hazard Community College was founded in 1968 and took on its present name in 2003. The school operates six campuses throughout southeastern Kentucky. Three campuses operate in Hazard. The Leslie County Center, Knott County Branch and Lees College are all extension centers for the main campus on Highway 15 in Hazard.

HCTC offers associate’s of art or science degrees, as well as certificates and diplomas. The certificate and diploma programs prepare students to immediately enter the workforce with valuable skills. The associate’s degree programs can either launch a career or provide a stepping stone to a four-year institution.

The Business Administration Program offers students a variety of options as far as courses of study. Students can take the fast track and earn a diploma in small business management. Certificate programs are available in everything from accounting to supervisory management. The most comprehensive business program is the associate in applied science degree. With the AAS in hand, students can step directly into management positions or continue their studies at a four-year institution.

The nursing and health sciences programs are among the most frequently chosen majors. Students can earn their certificate as nursing assistants in less than two years. The Nursing Integrated Program allows students to pursue the LPN track or the RN track. Graduates of the program can seamlessly transfer to a four-year school and work towards their baccalaureate degree. All nursing programs are rigorous, require extensive field work and the successful completion of one or more standardized tests, such as the NCLEX.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 36th in Kentucky and 2268th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	59.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$5,248
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	13 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	53% / 49%
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,185

Admissions

HCTC practices open admissions, although some programs may have more selective entry requirements. Out-of-state students must graduate in the top half of their high school class, or have a GPA of at least 3.0.

The first step in applying is to fill out an online application. Alternatively, prospective students can download and print a paper application for mailing or drop-off. The school charges no fee for processing student applications. Copies of high school transcripts or GED scores should be sent to the Office of Admissions. Transcripts from any previous colleges should also be included. Transfer students must have earned at least a 2.0 GPA on all college-level work. Applicants should provide ACT scores; scoring below 18 on any one section of the test may require the applicant to sit for the ASSET or COMPASS test.

After a new student’s admission file is complete, the school will mail out a package containing information about new student orientation and registering for classes.

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Financial Aid

Students should apply for financial aid as soon as they have been admitted by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Within days, a Student Aid Report will be produced that the college uses in generating a financial aid package for each student. Most needy students receive one or more grant awards. Scholastically talented students should also consider the many scholarships available. Lastly, federal loans can make ends meet when other sources of funding are exhausted.

Grants

The federal government makes available both the Pell Grant and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant to students with demonstrated financial need. Grant awards are gift monies that never have to be repaid. Kentucky residents are also eligible for the College Access Program, a state grant for undergraduates with severe financial need.

Scholarships

Various local organizations and individuals contribute to the mission of the school by funding student scholarships. Every student enrolled at the college is automatically entered into the scholarship awarding pool. Some scholarships have specific eligibility requirements, such as academic achievement or admittance into a certain program. Others are available to all students and based simply on financial need. Like grants, scholarships are gifts that do not require repayment.

Loans

As a community college, tuition and fees at HCTC remain affordable. As such, loans are generally not encouraged. Student loan debt often hangs over the heads of graduates who borrowed large sums. The Office of Financial Aid works diligently to ensure that most students will not need to take out federal loans.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5956th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Kentucky.

Students

Nearly 5,000 undergraduate students attend classes at one of the college’s campuses. Less than half of these students carry full course loads. The average high-school GPA of all students was around 3.0.

Both the main campus and the Hazard Technical Campus offer dining services, primarily for breakfast and lunch. Being a commuter college, the campus does not sponsor any form of housing. However, rents are low in the region and many students choose to live with relatives as they attend college. Non-traditional students often have homes of their own.

The school’s students have organized a number of campus groups and organizations. The Commuter and Non-traditional Student Organization, or CANSO, encourages older students to take a more active role in campus life. Students who enjoy creative writing or graphic art can apply for a position as editor of “Kudzu,” the school’s literary magazine. Student submissions of poetry, fiction and artwork are all encouraged. Many other clubs revolve around academic programs, such as the Biology Club, the Human Services and Social Work Association, and the Early Childhood Student Organization. Students looking to develop leadership skills are encouraged to join the Student Government Association or Students in Free Enterprise.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Local Community

Hazard lies in the heart of Kentucky’s Eastern Coal Fields. The community plays host to numerous festivals and gatherings throughout the summer, including the Black Gold Festival and the Jack and Jill Festival. The Bobby Davis Museum, named after a casualty of World War II, relates some of the history of Hazard and Perry County. The nearby Daniel Boone National Forest provides hiking, camping and other outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors. The cost of living in the region is low, although economic growth has generally been limited.

Hazard Community and Technical College