VALDOSTA – What if college education could be free? No student loans, no additional debt to incur.

Would that be the thing that urged some people to make the decision to earn a college credential?

That’s what new and current students are finding at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College with the recent addition of 40 more majors to the HOPE Career Grant list, college officials said.

The HOPE Career Grant is an additional amount of money a student may receive if they are HOPE Grant eligible and enrolled in a specific major that is identified as a high-demand career field.

Wiregrass went from 37 majors to 77 that now qualify, college officials said.

Students enrolling for fall semester classes can speak with the college’s financial aid advisors to see if their program qualifies, and if they are eligible for this grant. Students receiving a full HOPE Grant or Zell Miller Grant award along with the HOPE Career Grant will have their tuition and fees completely covered each term they maintain eligibility, college officials said.

Some of the new programs at Wiregrass that qualify include health-care diploma programs such as dental assisting, medical assisting, opticianry and paramedicine, along with programs such as pharmacy technician, phlebotomy and practical nursing, college officials said.

Other programs included on the list at Wiregrass are auto collision repair, diesel electrical/electronic systems tech, commercial electrical constructional technology, welding, machine tool, early childhood care, gaming development, network specialist, cybersecurity, website design and commercial truck driving.

For a complete list of majors that qualify, visit www.wiregrass.edu.

Wiregrass is currently accepting new students for fall semester with classes beginning Aug. 14. Students are encouraged to visit their local campus today to enroll and get their admission and financial aid paperwork in order, college officials said.