TC approves affordable college plan

School will begin offering dual-credit courses at a discount for low-income students

Texarkana College’s Board of Trustees approved a measure Monday to make education more affordable for low-income students.

Economically disadvantaged high school students in Bowie County who take dual-credit courses through the college will pay $50 per course next year, half the current rate.

TC President James Henry Russell said the move would help alleviate one of the barriers low-income students face when pursuing a degree.

“Statewide data has come out and just loudly shouted how important it is for students to have some dual-credit courses when they graduate from high school,” he said. “The studies are showing that if they just have six hours of credit, the chance of them going to college, persisting semester to semester and graduating, is much higher than a student that doesn’t.”

Administrators looked at data at both the state and local levels and realized that economically disadvantaged students are not taking dual credit at the same rate as those who are not.

“It has nothing to do with the ability,” Russell said. “It has everything to do with financial resources.”

Through the plan, eligible students can take up to 12 core classes before they graduate from high school. Then, Russell said, they will be eligible for Pell Grants, which will then help cover the cost of a degree.

Cutting the dual-credit fee in half will cost TC approximately $175,000 to $200,000 annually. Russell said that will be made up through grants and donations. Schools have also been asked to pay a portion through either budgeted funds or through their educational foundations.

“We have every intent of going out and working with our great donors and grant sources to come out with a funding source,” Russell said. “So money is no reason why an economically disadvantaged student in Bowie County is not taking dual credit.”

Having more students take dual-credit courses will also help the college work toward the state’s higher education goal of 60x30TX, where 60 percent of Texans age 35-34 have a college degree or certificate by 2030.

“If we don’t do some new things like this, we have no chance of getting there, and I think this may be one of the best things we can do to move towards 60x30,” Russell said. He added that state lawmakers are considering similar legislation next year to help colleges reach the milestone. “We know if we can help get them this head start with just 12 hours, I think you’re going to open college up to a whole new range of students that really don’t see it as a possibility,” Russell said. In other business, the board voted to move the April 23 board meeting to April 30. Trustees will hold a retreat to discuss strategic plans for the college. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Perot Museum in the Palmer Memorial Library.