(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College was recently awarded a Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant in the amount of $300,000 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
Reskilling grants allow Texas higher education institutions to provide financial assistance to students who are experiencing adversities and have had to drop out of college because of them. The grant is supported by a portion of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund allocated by the THECB.
“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 used as 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, are enrolled in an undergraduate or workforce-accredited program, have been adversely affected by the pandemic, or are within 12 months of completing their program.
TSTC executive director of Resource Development Juan Garza said that these funds are specifically for students who have paused 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 (OSA) programs.”
TSTC has transitioned several programs to 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 interested in seeing if they qualify for the funding are encouraged to reach out to a TSTC enrollment coach.
For more information, or to see if you qualify, please call 1-855-211-9805 or email getregistered@tstc.edu.
To learn more about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.
