A-B Tech Community College, in partnership with the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, was awarded a $50,000 Finish Line Grant to help students complete their training. Finish Line Grants program will assist students, who have completed 75 percent or more of their degree or credential, pay for financial emergencies they may face through no fault of their own. The North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of the Workforce Solutions, awarded the grant.
“I am excited about the prospects of the finish line grant affording us more financial support for successful students experiencing unexpected expenses who are close to completing their credential with A-B Tech,” said Terry Brasier, Vice President of Student Services. “Many students often ‘stop-out’ of their program of study when faced with unexpected financial hardships such as medical, transportation, housing, utilities, childcare, and other unforeseen expenses. The Finish Line Grant will help ease financial concerns and give these students an opportunity to focus on program completion which will lead to enhanced career opportunities and in the end, improved quality of life.”
A-B Tech’s Student Emergency Fund has been in place for more 10 years and is funded primarily through individual giving at the college. Students are eligible for assistance if they are enrolled in a program of study and maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. The College also operates three additional programs that have their own funds to help with costs outside of tuition and fees, but are crucial to student success.
These programs are STEP (Skills Training and Employment Program) aimed at SNAP recipients; Jumpstart, serving students seeking both a high school equivalency and credential program concurrently and the Lavender Fund, serving single parents.
Currently, food assistance represents the majority of the total requests each year and housing costs remain the largest unmet request. “These funds will allow us to expand emergency funds to help with larger costs that the college currently cannot accommodate,” said Shelley White, Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development and Continuing Education.