Texas State Technical College was recently awarded a $300,000 reskilling grant to provide financial assistance to students who have had to drop out of college because of adversities.
“As we help rebuild the Texas economy, getting individuals employed in high-paying jobs is at the forefront of our mission,” said TSTC Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management Christine Stuart-Carruthers. “This grant focuses on students who have been out of college for at least a semester, have less than a year to go to graduate and need assistance with tuition above what their financial aid covers.”
Funding will be a last-dollar grant to cover the costs associated with tuition that a student’s financial aid package will not cover during their final year of college. A student’s eligibility may depend on whether they qualify for federal student aid and enrollment in an undergraduate or workforce-accredited program. Other factors include having an adverse affect from the pandemic and being within 12 months of completing a program.
TSTC executive director of Resource Development Juan Garza said that these funds are specifically for students who has to pause their studies.
“The money targets students that have stopped going to college in an effort to get them to return and complete a degree, or to pursue one of the eligible Occupational Skills Award programs,” he said.
Several of TSTC programs are available via remote learning, a gesture that Stuart-Carruthers said may entice students to return.
“We have approximately 40 programs that are offered online,” she said. “We are hoping this will assist students who may be working to fit college into their schedule.”
TSTC students who would like to know if they qualify may reach out to a TSTC enrollment coach.
Funding for the grant comes from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant. A portion of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund also supports the grant with allocation by the THECB.