HARLINGEN — Texas State Technical College’s student support system just became stronger.
The Harlingen Economic Development Corp. has announced a $100,000 grant to the TSTC Foundation to help ensure students facing hardships are able to continue their education.
The money will benefit TSTC students living in Harlingen or in the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District boundaries.
“Today, we are making a presentation for $100,000 to the TSTC Foundation and helping students get past that goal line and pushing them to score and to succeed,” Raudel Garza, the HEDC’s chief executive officer, said.
Initially, the Harlingen EDC set aside $75,000 for this program but the HEDC board voted to increase funding to $100,000.
The TSTC Foundation funds are available to students who are enrolled full-time, are carrying 12 or more credit hours, or going to school part-time at between three and 11 credit hours.
The funds are available for students in any TSTC program, although a student must have a minimum 2.0 grade-point average and be in good standing with the college. Students also must be in their final three semesters of study.
Students qualifying will be selected by TSTC Enrollment Services. Once determined to be eligible, students can use the award money for tuition, materials, uniforms, tolls, testing fees and TSTC campus housing.
“The Harlingen EDC has been a constant supporter of TSTC and this strong collaboration has a tremendous impact on the economic growth of our region,” said Cledia Hernandez, TSTC-Harlingen provost.
“We are honored that Harlingen EDC continues to partner with us and believes in us to place more Texans in great paying jobs.”
The HEDC annually puts aside funds for workforce development and regional alliances, which has included the TSTC Foundation, the Rio South Texas Economic Council, the I-69 Alliance, Kaufmann FastTrac business skills training, Workforce Solutions Cameron, the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) and others.
