The College of the Canyons First-Year Promise (FYP) program, which offers full-time freshman students waived tuition and fees during their first year of study, has received a $50,000 donation from the Sand Canyon Country Club, a 27-hole desert course located in Canyon Country.

This two-year commitment, designated as the Sand Canyon Country Club Scholars contribution, will financially support 50 FYP students.

“We are very grateful for Sand Canyon Country Club’s donation toward the First-Year Promise program,” said Steve Corn, Chairman of the COC Foundation. “This sizable donation will make the dreams and goals of 50 FYP students a reality.”

Sand Canyon Country Club CEO Steve Kim presented a check to Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook on Thursday, Feb. 22.

“Obtaining an education can open doors and lead to success,” said Kim. “It is my honor to support College of the Canyons in its goal to make high-quality education accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.”

Aside from receiving free tuition, FYP students enroll in a one-year sequence of courses with priority registration, preceded by summer orientation to learn about majors and receive academic guidance. FYP courses are offered with the benefits of Open Educational Resources (OER) textbooks and other learning community elements.

Each student receives a $100 voucher per semester that can be applied toward other supplies and instructional materials. In addition, participating students also benefit from ongoing counseling and student support to help them reach their academic goals. Applications for the 2018 First-Year Promise class will be available April 1.

To ensure the continued success of FYP, which launched in the fall, the COC Foundation has committed to fundraising $500,000 over the next two years.

For more information about the FYP program and how to make a donation, visit the program’s website.