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Career and College Promise

Gaston College's Career and College Promise (CCP) program, also known as College Now, offers high school students a valuable opportunity to take tuition-free college courses while still in high school. This dual-enrollment program allows students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, helping them get a head start on their post-secondary education or career training. These courses are weighted on a 5.0 Advanced Placement equivalent GPA scale.

Students can choose from two main pathways:

  • College Transfer Pathways: Designed for students aiming to transfer to a four-year university, these pathways allow students to complete up to 32 semester hours of transferable college credit, potentially saving over $2,400 in tuition costs. 
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways: These pathways focus on specific career fields, enabling students to earn certificates in areas such as welding, business administration, criminal justice, and more, providing them with entry-level job skills. 

To get started with College Now at Gaston, please contact your school counselor. They will discuss your eligibility for the program and which pathway is right for you.

For more information, please visit https://www.gaston.edu/college-now/students/.

Get Reimbursed for Your Career and College Promise Textbooks

Gaston County Schools is pleased to partner with Gaston College and encourages our students to participate in College Now.  Gaston County Schools is one of just a few districts in the state that allocate funding for Career and College Promise textbooks. Gaston County Schools is committed to College Now through its textbook reimbursement process for both Fall and Spring College Now courses. 

For the 2025-2026 school year, students who successfully complete their College Now course(s) with a letter grade of "C" or higher are eligible for a textbook reimbursement. 

**Please Note: Summer and Minimester College Now Courses are not eligible for textbook reimbursement.**

Please review the following process to ensure your reimbursement qualifies and is submitted on time:

  1. Follow the procedure for registering in College Now courses as outlined by your counselor and Gaston College liaison.
  2. When notified of successful enrollment, determine if your College Now courses require any materials.
    1. Please see the website to determine which courses have required materials.
      1. When a course is listed as having a Required resource, these items are eligible for reimbursement.
      2. When a course is listed as having a Choice in resource, the least expensive option is the amount eligible for reimbursement.
      3. When a course is listed as having an Optional book, this book is not eligible for reimbursement as a digital one is provided.
  3. Purchase any required course materials through the Gaston College Bookstore.
    1. KEEP YOUR RECEIPT OF PURCHASE IN A SAFE PLACE!
    2. Students are welcome to purchase materials from alternative vendors; however, only books purchased at the Gaston College bookstore are eligible for reimbursement.
    3. Books can be purchased online and delivered (with an additional fee) here 
    4. *Students who may be experiencing a financial hardship can apply for assistance and request that GCS provide any required course materials at the start of the course. Please see your school counselor or Gaston College liaison for more information.
  4. At the completion of the course, complete the GCS College Now Textbook Reimbursement Form and return it to your school designee.
    1. The form must include: proof of purchase from the Gaston College bookstore completion of the course with a letter grade of C or higher.
    2. All Fall 2025 reimbursements must be submitted by January 30, 2026 at the latest.
    3. All Spring 2026 reimbursements must be submitted by June 1, 2026 at the latest.

For any questions regarding Gaston County Schools' College Now Textbook Reimbursement process, please reach out to Academic Services - Secondary Instruction at 704-866-6174.