ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Two recent Garden City Community College graduates, including one from Hugoton, are proving a high-quality education does not have to come with a high price tag, thanks to the Kansas Promise Scholarship.
The Kansas Promise Scholarship is a state-funded, last-dollar program that covers tuition, fees, books and program-related costs for eligible Kansas residents enrolled in high-demand programs.
Designed to eliminate financial barriers and build the Kansas workforce, the scholarship makes college more accessible for students across the state.
Kayla Harris, a 32-year-old graduate from Hugoton, benefited from the scholarship while earning her associate’s degree in emergency medical technician technology and paramedics.
Harris was born and raised in Yuma, Colo., and after graduating from high school there, she took agriculture and EMT basic classes from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla.
Harris got her EMT certification before moving to Hugoton in 2013, and she has been part of the Stevens County EMS and Fire Department for about nine years.
Finishing at GCCC recently, Harris comes to the first responder field from a family with much in the way of experience in the field.
“I grew up in a first responder family,” she said. “My dad is a retired police officer and a volunteer firefighter and EMT. My mom is a nurse and a volunteer EMT. My grandmother is a retired 911 dispatcher.”
Having grown up with first responders in her family, Harris said she had always wanted to be a part of the field, but with three children, she said that dream was put on hold for a while after graduating from OPSU.
“I had to put off going to paramedic school and becoming a licensed paramedic, raise my family and take care of things at home,” she said.
Prior to receiving the Kansas Promise Scholarship, Harris said finances were a big conversation in her family.
“We have three kids,” she said. “My husband has a full-time job. I also had a full-time job. However, with my full-time job, there were chances I was going to have to take off a lot so I could do my clinical hours and my lab and class hours.”
This left the Harris family a little worried about how Kayla would pay for school and fuel to get to and from her class and clinical hours.
“When we started class, we were told about, and some of us were offered the Kansas Promise Scholarship,” she said. “That really took a huge burden off not only my husband, but myself as well. I was able to use the money from my full-time job to pay for fuel because I didn’t have to worry about tuition and class fees.”
Harris said the scholarship gave her the chance to complete the paramedic program at GCCC in a reasonable timeframe without pulling money away from caring for her family.
“It was very helpful,” she said. “That scholarship paid my tuition and my fees. After having that paid for, and I don’t have to repay it, I was able to not have to worry about tuition and fees, and I knew my classes were going to be paid for and covered. That way, I could make sure my family was also taken care of. I had money for fuel to get back and forth to class and clinicals, and I could still help put food on the table for my family.”
Harris is now preparing to join Ford County EMS as a paramedic and firefighter, and she said while the department, like many, is still predominantly male, progress is being made in bringing more women on board.
“Ford County itself has grown,” she said. “There is at least one woman on each shift, and there are three shifts. My shift in particular has three women, and one of the other shifts also has three women. I enjoy seeing women being respected and seen more in the fire and EMS careers.”
Harris said her experience with the Kansas Promise Scholarship was a good one.
“Most of my dealings were through the college financial aid office,” she said. “They were very quick to respond, answer questions. They were very helpful in getting what I needed in order for me to sign up and receive the Kansas Promise Scholarship Act.”
As part of the scholarship, paperwork is required, including an agreement to live and work in Kansas for two years in order to not have to pay the money back. Harris said GCCC’s financial aid office was helpful in helping her understand what acceptance of and signing up for the scholarship meant for her.
“You understood what and how the Kansas Promise Act helps you and covers your tuition and college fees,” she said.
The other student receiving the Kansas Promise Scholarship at GCCC was 23-year-old Dighton resident Trinity Pierce, a graduate of the school’s nursing program. She called the scholarship life changing.
Pierce completed her associate’s degree and plans to apply for an OB nurse position at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City.
“GCCC has prepared me to be a nurse by teaching me critical thinking skills and how to contribute to my community,” she said. “I recommend the Kansas Promise Scholarship to anyone who qualifies. It’s such a huge help. You won’t regret it.”
To qualify for the Kansas Promise Scholarship, students must be U.S. citizens and Kansas residents. They must either have graduated from a Kansas high school (or equivalent) within the past 12 months, have lived in Kansas for the past three consecutive years, be the dependent of a military service member stationed out of state who recently graduated from an out-of-state high school or have been in custody of the Kansas Department for Children and Families during high school.
Additionally, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, meet certain income requirements and enroll in one of GCCC’s approved programs such as health care, information technology, education and skilled trades. In exchange, recipients commit to living and working in Kansas for two years after graduation.
GCCC President Dr. Ryan Ruda praised the scholarship’s impact.
“The Kansas Promise Scholarship is a powerful investment in our students and our state,” he said. “It opens doors for individuals to pursue higher education and supports the development of a skilled Kansas workforce.”
Since its inception, the Kansas Promise Scholarship has helped thousands of students statewide, including dozens at GCCC. For many, it offers more than financial relief. It provides a pathway to a promising future.
For more information about the Kansas Promise Scholarship and how to apply at GCCC, visit www.gcccks.edu, or contact the financial aid office by calling 620-276-0519 or e-mailing
