Published in the Asheville Citizen-Times, July 7, 2021
A-B Tech will use federal COVID-19 relief money to pay students' tuition next fall, the community college said July 6.
Students who complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Aug. 10 and are enrolled in at least six credit hours in Fall 2021 are eligible for up to $1,500 for tuition and other student fees through the "Trailblazer Promise."
“This is an opportunity to transform people’s lives and the economic health of our region,” A-B Tech President John D. Gossett said. "We’re using the Trailblazer Promise and other relief funds to invest in our students’ futures by removing barriers and enabling them to pursue their education debt-free.”
Eligible students who apply will be awarded the money "while funding is available," according to A-B Tech's website.
A-B Tech received more than $1.8 million in federal COVID-19 relief money. In addition to the Trailblazer Promise, other relief funds are being used "to assist students who graduated high school in 2021 and adults who enroll in workforce and continuing education classes," a press release stated.
Recent high school graduates can receive as much as $2,800 from the relief funds, and students whose jobs were impacted by COVID-19 could get anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000.
"A-B Tech also will distribute additional relief funds to curriculum students during the semester to offset the impact of COVID-19 on their ability to pay for tuition or other expenses such as childcare, technology and transportation costs," the release stated.