Texas Border Business

McALLEN, Texas – Right out of high school, Claudia Ramos admits that school wasn’t immediately at the top of her list of priorities when she began taking classes at South Texas College for the first time more than 20 years ago. 

She stopped short of graduating and only just returned this spring to take advantage of new assistance for students like her who were right on the cusp of receiving their degrees.   

When STC trustees initially approved $112,500 for a Texas Reskilling Support Program from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in January, it confirmed their support for adult learners like Ramos who, mostly for family or financial reasons, have stopped pursuing their college education before graduating. 

Trustees in May then approved an additional $200,000 for the Reskilling Program bringing the total to more than $537,000 for these so called ‘stop-out’ students. 

In Ramos’ case, she married, had a family and eventually started a lucrative job as a production manager for a flooring company based in Austin for nearly two decades as she raised her children. 

Ramos said she returned to STC in the spring of 2022 to pursue an associate degree in Accounting. She even made STC’s President’s Honor Roll, which is awarded to students enrolled in more than 12 credit hours and who have earned a perfect grade-point average of 4.0 for the semester. 

Currently taking courses this summer, Ramos said she plans to graduate by December 2022. 

“You know, it’s very important to show our kids that it is never too late to pursue your dreams,” Ramos said. “There are so many resources out there, including grants, that students can apply for to help them achieve their goals and better their lives and their families.”

The Reskilling Support program originates from the allocation of funds provided to THECB by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund as well as the U.S. Department of Education Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The moneys support displaced Texas workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who need to reskill or upskill to return to the workforce and Texas students who were previously enrolled at STC for a certificate or degree but have not completed it.

For students like Ramos, who said her family was hit hard not just financially but emotionally once the virus began spreading in 2020, this was a lifesaver. 

“COVID impacted our lives big time. First my husband’s work declined because he works in construction and then I lost my parents due to the virus. They passed a day apart. After that, I knew I couldn’t stay at work,” Ramos said. “I stayed without a job and came back to the Valley to grieve properly, but in the middle of everything I found my motivation in school. Receiving this grant was perfect timing and it helped me qualify for summer courses.”

Tony Matamoros, STC’s Director of Student Engagement and Completion Services said the grant is getting students excited to come back and finish their degree, giving them the extra nudge they need to return. 

“There are a lot of students that we have awarded grants to who are just a few courses away from finishing but haven’t been able to because they may be having difficulty with basic needs like food insecurity, financial insecurity, transportation and childcare,” Matamoros said. “My department is tasked with reengaging those students, helping them go through the enrollment pipeline and then helping them connect to the services that they need in order to take care of specific areas of their lives before they get started with their education again.” 

STC awards $2,500 per semester, which is applied to tuition and fees not covered by state or institutional financial aid. So far, the college has helped more than 170 students come back to college. 

Eligible students are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after submitting the Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Survey. They are then notified via email if they meet grant eligibility and are awarded.For more information or to apply to the Texas Reskilling Program, students can visit https://studentservices.southtexascollege.edu/finaid/TRSFGP.html