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Bristol and VHCC announce tuition-free Promise Program for local graduates
Summary
Virginia Highlands Community College, backed by the Ann and Jean Worrell Foundation, will offer a tuition-free Promise Program beginning fall 2026 to every Bristol high school graduate who enrolls immediately, covering degree and workforce credential tracks regardless of financial need.
Virginia Highlands Community College will offer a new Bristol Promise Program that provides tuition-free enrollment to every Bristol high school graduate who enrolls immediately after graduation, starting in fall 2026, Dr. Adam Hutchinson told the City Council on Nov. 25.
The program, funded by the Ann and Jean Worrell Foundation, applies to degree and non-degree workforce credential programs and does not require a demonstration of financial need, Hutchinson said. He told council that VHCC contributes about $85 million annually to the local economy and expects the Promise to boost local employment by increasing postsecondary participation and career credentialing.
Council members responded positively. Mayor Becky Nave and other councilmembers thanked Hutchinson and staff for their work to secure the foundation support and expand educational access for Bristol students. Hutchinson said students may “mix and match” credentials — for example, completing a diesel certificate then adding a commercial driver’s license — to increase employability.
The city’s role, as described in the presentation, is to support outreach and community collaboration; program administration and eligibility rules will be managed by VHCC. The college and city did not provide a detailed budget or enrollment projections for the first cohort at the meeting; those details were not specified.
