MIRANDA ATKINS: Miranda Atkins waits outside of Shockley Hall for one of her nursing classes to start. She is attending school with the help of a Promise scholarship.

If paying for college sounds stressful, here’s some good news: Students on the Lower Eastern Shore may be eligible for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship, which provides eligible students with up to $5,000 to cover remaining tuition and mandatory fee expenses after applying financial aid.

“The Promise scholarship has allowed me to complete my nursing degree almost completely debt free,” said Wor-Wic Community College student Miranda Atkins. “Not having to stress about how I was going to pay for school is a huge relief as well. I haven’t had to overwork myself while in nursing school just to pay for college. I have been able to focus on studying and getting all of my assignments completed on time.”

“We encourage all students to apply,” said Dr. Bryan Newton, vice president for enrollment management and student services at Wor-Wic. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to complete your education and graduate debt-free.”

But there is one key deadline students need to meet: They must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

“My advice for students interested in applying for the scholarship is to just do it,” Atkins said. “It’s a very easy application and it doesn’t hurt to try. Even if you’re not accepted one year, the next year you may be accepted, which was what happened in my case. It’s completely free to apply, and it will pay off in the end even if you don’t get the full amount of tuition covered — anything helps.”

The scholarship has no age limitation, so high school seniors can apply as well as anyone who has put off working on a degree for financial reasons. Students can get guidance at www.worwic.edu/Pay-For-College, or by calling the financial aid office at 410-334-2978.