Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) announces 12 students as the first recipients of the Disabled Veterans Support Scholarship.

Funded by voluntary state income tax return donations, the Disabled Veterans Support Scholarship (DVSS) was created to support U.S. military veterans with service-connected disabilities as they pursue technical education in Georgia. Administered by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Foundation, DVSS helps veterans focus on completing their programs and preparing for high-demand careers by addressing the full cost of attendance, including tuition, required supplies and other real costs.

“I am thrilled with the results of the first semester of the Disabled Veterans Support Scholarship,” said Josh Hickman, Military-Connected Services coordinator at GNTC. “The 12 recipients for the summer semester are incredibly deserving of this scholarship. I have high hopes that we will see even more students apply for this scholarship in the coming semesters.”

The students who received the awards for the summer 2026 semester (showing student’s name, hometown, program of study and campus) are Tennyson Bowers, Dalton, Supply Chain Management and Logistics, Whitfield Murray Campus; Christian Cooke, Rome, Healthcare Management, Floyd County Campus; Greg Huff, Dalton, Cybersecurity, Whitfield Murray Campus; Jaeger Jimenez, Euharlee, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Floyd County Campus; Michael Laakkonen, Adairsville, Culinary Arts, Floyd County Campus; Paxton Long, Rocky Face, Cybersecurity, Whitfield Murray Campus; Carisa McGuffin, Dallas, Healthcare Management, Walker County Campus; Jessica Rambo, Adairsville, Welding and Joining Technology, Floyd County Campus; Brenda Sontay, Rome, Vascular, Floyd County Campus; Jason Voight, Canton, EMS Professions, Gordon County Campus; John White, Rome, Automation Engineering Technology, Whitfield Murray Campus; and Kevin Wilkes, Cedartown, Instrumentation and Controls Technician, Floyd County Campus.

DVSS is designed to remove financial barriers so that veterans can focus on gaining skills, completing training and transitioning into high-demand careers across Georgia.

Eligible veterans enrolled in degree, diploma or technical certificate programs may apply.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a U.S. military veteran (not a dependent)
• Be enrolled in an accredited degree, diploma or technical certificate program
• Attend full-time or part-time
• Provide valid U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs documentation showing a service-connected disability rating.

Veterans with 0%-50% disability are eligible for up to $500 per term, capped at $1,500 annually; veterans with 60%-100% disability are eligible for up to $1,000 per term, capped at $3,000 annually. Applicants must provide valid U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of their disability level.