UTPB awarded $30,000 grant to assist first-generation

college students with books, transportation

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board announced that a $30,000 grant has been awarded to The University of Texas of the Permian Basin to benefit first-generation college students. U.T. Permian Basin is one of 20 higher education institutions in Texas to receive the new First-Generation College Student Grant (FGCS). The funds will offer direct financial support, to be used for books and transportation, for eligible students. Approximately 55 students at U.T. Permian Basin will benefit from the $500 grants in Spring 2004. The FGCS program was established in late summer 2003 by the Coordinating Board as the result of a joint grant award from the U.S. Department of Labor to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Education Agency, and the Coordinating Board. The goal of the FGCS Grant Program is to increase the participation and success of economically disadvantaged first-generation college students. The grant awards cannot be used for tuition or fees. Instead the monies are for personal use, and intended to offer direct financial support to enhance students' ability to seek a higher education.

The grant will also be used to host a Career Awareness Day for the Workforce Investment Act - Youth Program at UTPB. The Career Awareness Day will be held later in the semester and will give students in that program and students at UTPB who receive funding through this grant, an opportunity to explore their Career Interests. The students will also have an opportunity to listen to and interact with a number of professionals from the community as a part of this experience.

The first generation college LIFTS student grant is designed to assist students in meeting the “hidden” costs of attending college, such as paying for books and transportation. The program will assist students in exploring various career options as well. Scholarships will be awarded for the spring 2004 semester in the amount of $500 per student. In order to qualify for the program students must:

• Be the first generation in their families to attend college.
• Have a 2.5 or better grade point average
• Attend a Career Fair during the spring 2004 semester.
• Produce receipts for expenses, including books $400 and transportation $100.

This program is for the spring 2004 semester only. Students will be able to apply for the scholarship until January 30. Students who are selected by the committee to receive a scholarship will be required to attend a career fair at UTPB. Scholarships will be awarded by the end of May 2004. Interested students should submit an application, letter of application, recent transcript and receipts for books and/or transportation costs. Students should turn in application materials to room 406, Mesa Building by January 30.

This scholarship is funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with collaboration from the Odessa Mexican American Scholarship Committee ( MASC) and The West Texas Association for Bilingual Education. Workforce Network of Odessa serves as a community based partner assisting with career development opportunities.