College expands free tuition

St. Thomas offers discount to students in certain programs

The University of St. Thomas in Houston is expanding its free tuition offer for the fall semester, covering tuition for the first 300 students who enroll in its new associate’s degree programs and the first 100 who enroll in its new nursing master’s programs.

The initiative, officials said, will assist students during the COVID-19 pandemic and nurses who have been on the front lines of the pandemic.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses are helping to heal the world,” Poldi Tschirch, dean of the nursing school, said in a written statement. “I am grateful to the University of St Thomas for acknowledging the courage and service of nurses in our community by providing scholarships to support them in advancing their education.”

The online programs, which include specialties in nursing and health care simulation, nursing education, and nursing leadership, can be completed in about two to three years while students work a full-time job and feature simulation labs for students to use at the college. A majority of the coursework is online, but simulation labs will take place on campus. Those who are interested can apply online.

The college will also expand its original offer of free tuition for its three new associate’s degrees in cybersecurity, electronic or network technology from 100 students to 300, and will discount tuition for other students, charging $200 per credit hour instead

of $300. The two-year programs are also online.

“What we discovered from our initial offer was that the need to secure a college education or retool for a stronger position in the job market was great in Houston,” St. Thomas President Richard Ludwick said in a statement.

Both bachelor’s and associate’s programs are still in the accreditation process.

St. Thomas will also offer discounted and free summer courses for current and prospective students.

• Summer classes for undergraduates are now discounted by 60 percent, and graduating seniors pursuing a master’s degree this summer can get their first course for free. New students or those who are visiting undergraduates or graduate students can also get their first summer class for free.

• Current and new students who enroll in a summer course will receive a $500 scholarship toward a threecredit course during their fall semester.