As Western North Carolina recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, A-B Tech's primary concern is the safety and welfare of our employees and students. This page serves as a central resource for our statements, plans, community resources, and more. Look for updates via college text alerts and email, but you also may check this page and the A-B Tech Facebook and Instagram accounts for additional information. #abtechstrong #strongertogether
Current A-B Tech Status
A-B Tech has returned to normal instruction modes and reopened all buildings for the Spring Semester beginning January 6, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Admissions or Advising.
Disaster Relief Funding for Students
A-B Tech has received disaster relief funds to help you pay for college! We know many people in our community are still navigating challenges and hope to ease your concerns about how to pay for college. As this year comes to a close and we look ahead to a new beginning in 2025, A-B Tech values our students and is grateful for your decision to pursue an education with us. Please let us know how we can help you achieve your educational goals.
For academic students enrolling in Spring Semester classes, the variety of special funding means that most students will qualify for free tuition! To explore your options and ask questions, academic students should email Financial Aid at financialaidoffice@abtech.edu.
Hurricane Helene Spring 2025 Tuition Grants and Emergency Scholarships
All students enrolled in curriculum or Workforce Continuing Education courses are eligible for tuition grants. Funds will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, and funding is limited.
New academic students are encouraged to submit a FAFSA and must submit an application form to the financial aid office to be awarded a tuition grant and/or emergency scholarship for the Spring Semester: Hurricane Helene Spring 2025 Tuition Grant Application. Academic students who previously submitted a Hurricane Helene Emergency Scholarship Grant Application will automatically be awarded the tuition grant and do not need to submit a new application.
Continuing Education students should contact Catherine Redwine at catherineredwine@abtech.edu.
Transitional Studies (HSE/GED, ELA/ESL, and SOAR) students should call (828) 398-7433 for more information regarding emergency scholarship applications. Funding is limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Helene Assistance for NextNC Eligible Students
Emergency funding of up to $926 ($463 per semester) is available to eligible NextNC students for the 24-25 academic year
- Students awarded NextNC Scholarships for the Fall have automatically been awarded
- New students should complete the FAFSA form
Students with Emergency Withdrawals for Fall classes
Students retaking Fall classes in Spring 2025 should submit a Hurricane Helene Spring 2025 Tuition grant application and answer the question "yes" if they are retaking a course they dropped in the Fall. The Financial Aid and Business Office will work together to ensure the student's tuition and course fees are fully covered. Please note, that students will not automatically retake the class for free – submission of an application is required.
Program and Class Information
Curriculum (Academic) Programs
Our curriculum programs have resumed normal instruction and reopened all buildings for the Spring Semester.
Continuing Education and Workforce Training Programs
Continuing Education and Workforce programs have resumed classes. Please direct any questions to the following contacts:
- Brinda Caldwell — Director, Community Engagement (motorcycle safety, pottery, language classes, painting, etc.): brindawcaldwell@abtech.edu
- Patrycja Manning — Director, Advance Manufacturing Center: patrycjaamanning@abtech.edu
- Maria Spadaro — Director, Workforce Continuing Education: marialspadaro@abtech.edu
- Deborah D. Bailey — Vice President, Economic and Workforce Development: deborahdbailey@abtech.edu
Transitional Studies Programs
Transitional Studies has resumed its High School Equivalency (GED), English Language Acquisition (ELA/ESL), and SOAR classes. If you have any questions, please contact Transitional Studies Director Kenna Sommer at kennaksommer@abtech.edu.
Community Resources
- Need Internet? Visit Land of Sky WNC Public WiFi Map
- See NC aerial maps before and after Helene created by A-B Tech Computer Technologies Chair Pete Kennedy: WNC Aerial Swipe Maps Pre- and Post-Helene
United Way
Call 211 or visit United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
- Disaster Relief
- Donations
- Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Reception Center: 50 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 (United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County) - Anyone in the area looking for a volunteer opportunity is welcome to go to the new Volunteer Reception Center for volunteer assignments. A variety of skills are needed, so there is something for everyone.
OneBuncombe (Buncombe County Government)
Call (828) 250-6100 or visit Buncombe County Government Hurricane Helene Information
- Emergency Info and Services Updates
- Volunteering & Helping
- Recovery Assistance from Federal, State & Partners
- Report Missing Persons
- Voting Updates
Asheville City Government
Visit Asheville City Government Hurricane Helene Information
- Water Service Updates
- Impacted Services
- Debris Removal
- Relief Assistance & Resources
- How to Help
FEMA Disaster Relief Assistance
The Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Asheville Mall on Tunnel Road.
The hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is a one-stop shop for assistance, including FEMA and the Small Business Administration. We encourage people who have been impacted by the storm to visit the Disaster Recovery Center. Assistance teams are also going out in the community to help survivors apply for assistance and report any emerging needs. Please be cautious of scammers — FEMA will never ask for money and staff will always have a badge.
FEMA also provides direct assistance at locations throughout the area that are changed daily or weekly. Visit Buncombe County Government Hurricane Helene Information for the latest information.
Pisgah Legal Services is providing free assistance with FEMA applications and other disaster-related issues. Visit the website or call (828) 253-0406.
Small Business Assistance
The United States Small Business Administration has opened an assistance center at the Chamber of Commerce. The center is focusing on providing disaster relief in the form of low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters impacted by the storm. Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration for more information or visit an SBA representative in person at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Food, Drinking Water & More
Locations for free food and water vary daily. Visit the Facebook or Instagram pages for A-B Tech, Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, Madison County, BPR News, WLOS, and local organizations for daily updates. Buncombe County/OneBuncombe.org and the City of Asheville provide daily updates for Community Care Centers, FEMA locations, water distribution, and more. A-B Tech shares daily updates in our Facebook and Instagram stories and saves more permanent information in Instagram highlight bubbles.
- ABCCM
- BeLoved Asheville
- Bounty & Soul
- Eblen Charities
- Manna Food Bank
- Meals on Wheels
- Pisgah Legal Services
- Salvation Army
- Samaritan's Purse
- World Central Kitchen (in conjunction with local restaurants and chefs)
- YMI Cultural Center
- Various food trucks and restaurants (with emphasis on A-B Tech alumni)
A-B Tech students and employees also may visit the college's Food Pantry.
Community Care Stations
Community Care Stations provide space for the public to shower, do laundry, use the bathroom, access cell towers, and WiFi, get potable and non-potable water, and access counseling services. They are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hot meals are offered at each Community Care Station at lunchtime and dinnertime. Please bring towels, shower shoes, and toiletries if possible; otherwise, items will be provided. Visit the Buncombe County and City of Asheville websites or Facebook/Instagram pages for locations and updates.
Warm Clothing & Cold Weather Accessories
- Eblen Charities at 23 Hamilton Street, Asheville, is giving away coats and warm clothes from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. daily. Additionally, a coat giveaway is scheduled for October 23 - 24. visit Eblen Charities.
- Goodwill Donation Centers are accepting donations and providing clothing vouchers (gift cards) for those in need.
- Bounty & Soul has warm clothing and camp stoves (the current focus is Swannanoa)
Free Counseling
Students and employees can access free counseling services through BetterHelp. If you know of anyone in our campus community or our community at large in need of counseling, please inform them that BetterHelp is offering free services for up to three months. To access this benefit, they should visit BetterHelp and use the code "hurricane-helene-support."
Student Mental Health Resources
We know this is a challenging time. If you need to process your thoughts and feelings, free, confidential counseling is available to currently enrolled students. Please see the Resource page for other supports offered to our students. Feel free to contact supportservices@abtech.edu with any specific questions.
See more Student Support Resources.
Donating to A-B Tech
Support A-B Tech Students and Employees: How to Give
