Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Tarrant County College has expanded assistance provided through the Student Emergency Assistance Fund to support students who find themselves financially impacted by this global crisis.
Since the Coronavirus outbreak, TCC has seen a significant increase in the number of students seeking financial assistance from the Eliminating Barriers-Student Emergency Assistance Fund. Eligible students can receive a one-time grant of up to $750 to help with non-tuition related emergencies, so they can stay in school, which is an increase of $250 from the program’s launch (Update: the $750 was only for spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters. As of fall 2020, the maximum amount awarded is $500).
With TCC’s move to online instruction for all courses, the emergency fund has made a huge difference in the lives of many TCC students. Consider the impact of TCC’s Student Emergency Assistance Fund had for these students (Names have been changed to protect the student’s privacy):
- In order to access online coursework, Letty goes to her father’s house for a Wi-Fi connection. While there, she sits on the front porch to complete her assignments in prerequisite classes that need to be completed before she’s able to apply to TCC’s Nursing program. Due to COVID-19, Letty lost her job and struggled to pay bills. Thanks to a one-time grant from the Student Emergency Assistance Fund, Letty can pay bills and reallocate money to pay her tuition. This will keep her on track with her TCC coursework.
- Robert, a Business Management major, is only nine hours away from graduation. The courses he needs to complete his degree are being offered during the Maymester and summer terms. Having lost his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he had to choose between paying his bills or his tuition. The help Robert received from the Student Emergency Assistance Fund took care of his bills, leaving him with enough funds to enroll in his final nine hours of coursework. Now, he will be able to remain in school and complete his degree.
“TCC Foundation is grateful for gifts made to the Student Emergency Assistance Fund,” said TCC Foundation Senior Donor Relations Officer Liz Sisk. “With the increase in student applications for support received, we want to position the College to help as many students as possible mitigate their financial emergencies so they can remain in school, working toward completion of their degree plan.”
The emergency fund was first established in 2019, and the Foundation seeks gifts from individuals, businesses, private foundations and organizations to provide critical support to this special initiative.
Please consider contributing to help students at TCC through the Student Emergency Assistance Fund.
For more information contact the TCC Foundation.