TC receives $5K to help students with financial hardships
The Texarkana College Foundation received a $5,000 donation Thursday to establish an emergency grant program for low-income nursing and workforce students.
“Texarkana College and the foundation fully realize our students have personal and financial issues that may keep them from completing their degree or even the current semester,” said Brandon Washington, TC’s dean of workforce. “Our students experience job loss, health issues, transportation problems, homelessness and hunger. A $300 car repair could be the breaking point that causes a student to drop out of college or be unable to get to work and pay their bills.”
The grant will provide up to $300 in emergency funds to students who have completed at least one semester and who need help with critical expenses, such as medical bills, car repairs or a utility shut-off.
Joey and Jamie Martin donated the funds to begin the program.
“We are pleased to provide more resources to Texarkana College that are dedicated to supporting students in times of greatest need,” Martin said. “Emergency grants are a bridge to college completion and the financial security a degree can provide.”
Students experiencing financial emergencies can apply for the emergency grant by contacting TC Foundation Director Katie Andrus at Katie.andrus@texarkanacollege . edu. Qualified expenses will be paid within 48 hours of an approved application. Students will also be referred to additional campus, community and financial literacy resources to supplement the grants, address root causes or contributing factors to the financial emergencies and further support students’ persistence.