LSCPA receives $300,000 grant to pay student tuition, fees

Lamar State College Port Arthur has been chosen to receive $300,000 under the Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program which will go to support students directly in their efforts to return to college amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

LSCPA is among just 49 institutions selected from across the state by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to receive this money designated to help existing college students who were unable to return this past fall semester due to financial impacts from coronavirus.

“Attending college and pursuing a degree or certificate are demanding propositions for students working to improve themselves to ensure a better future,” LSCPA President Dr. Betty Reynard said. “This past year, though, has been beyond challenging. Too many people with dreams of earning a degree or learning a new career were stopped cold by unemployment and other financial roadblocks due to COVID-19. This grant is set aside for those students to help them get back on track as we find our way through what is hopefully the final stages of this pandemic.”

Through a competitive process, 40 applicants representing 49 institutions were selected for awards totaling more than $18 million. This grant provides essential emergency support for tuition and fees for students who are re-enrolling in postsecondary institutions and are near completion of their credential program.

The program is supported by a portion of the $175 million allocation to the THECB from the Governor’s Emergency Educational Relief (GEER) Fund.

Students at Lamar State College Port Arthur are eligible for up to $2,500 for tuition and fees for the spring, summer and fall semesters of 2021. The grant is set aside for students who attended classes in Spring or Summer 2020 but were unable to continue their education during the Fall 2020 semester due to a COVID-19 impact.