Orange County is preparing to commit $50,000 in scholarship money to students who are looking to earn a degree from Durham Tech.

The current plan for the program is to award 50 Orange County students, who have graduated in the past year, $1,000 scholarships, but commissioner Mark Dorosin said he was in favor of expanding it to include all Orange County residents.

“I don’t know if it’s too late now, but I would certainly be interested in saying ‘if you’ve lived in Orange County for some amount of time and you want to go,” he said.

The scholarship was based on a similar type of program set up Durham County and is meant to give students a means to create economic opportunity.

“It would look at young people,” said commissioner Renee Price. “Target them, so they’re not out on the street with nothing to do or working at Hardee’s or Burger King or whatever it is.”

But an expansion of the program can be an opportunity for more widespread economic development.

“We’re trying to build up an Orange County work force,” said commissioner Barry Jacobs. “And encouraging people to go to Durham Tech to get those skills, we will be that much more attractive.”

Any change to the program would have to be done before the formal budget is approved at the end of the month.

County manager Bonnie Hammersley said the commissioners do have the power to change any aspects of the program they choose before the budget is approved.

“Because of the timing, the recommendation was based on the (Durham County) model,” she said. “But we can bring that back and we can tweak it and make that determination. It shouldn’t be that difficult.”

According to the Durham Tech website, estimated tuition cost for a semester of 12 credit hours is nearly $1,500.

The scholarship is currently set up to award students on a first come, first served basis, which was done to promote inclusivity.

“Durham Tech is not doing need-based because that requires an application,” Price said. “If you’re under 21, your parents would have to fill out an application form and they may not want to because they’re immigrants.”

The county manager has been directed to reach out to Durham Tech to discuss the possible changes to the program.

The county commissioners will formally approved the budget June 21.

Related Stories
‹
Durham Tech Expansion Put On Hold in County Budget Deliberations
The Orange County Board of Commissioners plans to adopt the 2021-22 fiscal budget at its upcoming meeting next week, however, a big education project that was set to receive millions of dollars in funding is now on the chopping block.
On Air Today: President J.B. Buxton of Durham Tech
Ahead of the Orange County Commissioners working to finalize the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Durham Technical Community College President J.B. Buxton joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell. With an expansion of the school's Orange County campus expected to be funded, Buxton shares how project planning is progressing and Durham Tech's growing role in the community.
Durham Tech Expansion Included in Proposed Orange County Budget
The expansion of Durham Tech's Orange County Campus may soon be a reality with current budget discussions underway.
Orange County Plans Funding for Future Expansion of Durham Tech Campus
The Durham Technical Community College campus in Orange County will soon see some changes, as plans for an expansion likely will have funding from the local government. While expansion to the single-building campus at 525 College Park Road in Hillsborough has been discussed before, recent changes to the Orange County Capital Investment Plan have accelerated the […]
Here Are the Orange County Local Governments’ Approved Budgets, Tax Rates for 2026-27
The final totals and changes for Orange County governments' budgets are being finalized. Here are the details of each approved so far.
As Chapel Hill Library Weighs Options Amid Possible Funding Cut, Supporters Speak Up to County
After receiving more than $620,000 annually from the Orange County government, the Chapel Hill Public Library may soon lose that funding.
Orange County Government, Local School Districts Try to Do 'More With Less' Amid State Funding Uncertainty
Orange County's school districts will likely not get the full extent of their proposed budgets for the upcoming school year.
Orange County Recommends Tax Increases for FY27 Budget; Chatham County Could Keep Rate Flat
Both Orange County and Chatham County revealed their budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year this week. Here are the highlights.
Orange County: Details of the Budget Presentation and Tough Decisions to Make — (May 6, 2026)
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton speaks with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, May 6.
Orange County Schools Board of Education Reviews Budget Requests for the Upcoming Academic Year
The Orange County Board of Education recently presented its preferred budget for the upcoming school year.
›