Melfa, VA – Local high schools and Eastern Shore Community College have partnered to hold a free community event, College Night on the Shore, to help families realize that college is an affordable, attainable goal and to give them the tools to get there.
Statistics show that the Eastern Shore of Virginia has one of the lowest percentages in Virginia of citizens who have a post-secondary education. In Accomack County 17.8% of residents have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher; in Northampton County it is 19 %. This compares with the 33.4% Virginia state average.

“We feel that many Eastern Shore families are simply overwhelmed by the college processes of selecting, applying, and paying for college. Sometimes families don’t think college is possible for their sons or daughters when, in fact, it can be,” stated Bryan Smith Dean of Student Services at ESCC, “We hope to de-mystify the going-to-college process that night.”

“Money is usually the biggest barrier. We will also try to help families understand how the financial aid process works and how most students pay do not pay the full ‘sticker price’ of college after financial aid ‘discounts’ are applied.”

This College Night on the Shore event will be held Tuesday, December 3, in the Great Hall of the Eastern Shore Community College Workforce Development Center. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m.

At this event, experienced professionals will guide families through the process of selecting the right college, university or vocational school, maximizing their chances of being admitted, navigating the admissions process, and paying for college.

As an added incentive, participants will have a chance to win college scholarships which will be given away that night.

This event is sponsored by the Eastern Shore Community College Student Services Department and the guidance departments of Accomack County Schools, Northampton County Schools, and Broadwater Academy.