A $465,000 grant the Texarkana College Foundation received Wednesday brings hope for an improved quality of life for students and their families.
The financial support from the Texas Pioneer Foundation will fund the dual-credit program and support scholarships allowing high school students living in the TC district to access dual-credit courses at a reduced fee.
The grant is in response to the college's call for assistance from private donors.
"The Texas Pioneer Foundation's pledge will help break down barriers for students to allow greater access to dual-credit courses," TC President James Henry Russell said. "This is a game-changer for our community. More students earning college credit means more college completers and a brighter future for families in our area. This type of college-completion strategy provides career pathways for students while still in high school and will save them thousands of dollars in college tuition and fees."
Fred Markham, executive director of the Texas Pioneer Foundation, echoed Russell's sentiments.
"Having a good job enables all of us to make choices for families and enrich lives for the communities."
In March, the TC Board of Trustees voted to reduce the cost of dual-credit course fees based on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's report that economically disadvantaged students are underrepresented among dual-credit enrollees. Trustees approved reducing fees for qualifying students from $100 to $50 per course for up to 12 semester credit hours of general education core courses.
"This generous grant from the Texas Pioneer Foundation leads the way in enabling all qualified Bowie County students who want to get ahead on college completion to attain credentials while in high school," Russell said. "We want to reward high school students who work hard and want to go to college, and we are so grateful for the initiative shown by the Texas Pioneer Foundation to help Northeast Texas move the needle toward meeting the state's higher education goal."
Texas Pioneer Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 2004. Its mission is to "support academic excellence by funding innovative educational programs that are sustainable, able to build capacity and have measurable results."