TEXARKANA, Texas - Texarkana College has attracted more than 100 applicants for the new "Just Start" scholarship, which provides up to $2,000 for non-traditional students, since beginning its "Roadshow" program.
The program is designed to assist non-traditional students who typically have few opportunities to obtain scholarship funds or financial aid, but who are working to complete a degree or trade skills certificate that places them on a career path to earn higher wages.
TC recruiters have traveled in the school's Mobile Enrollment Center from Dekalb to New Boston and back to Texarkana over the past few weeks to reach students.
Student recruiter and adviser Dustin Austin said since the New Boston visit, the pace has picked up as far as attendance.
Around 10-15 students have come by each stop, with the majority applying for scholarships. Some students have also applied on TC's campus.
"This is sort of our first opportunity to do something for our non-traditional students, and it's really been successful," Austin said. "Some of these people are in that limbo between making too much money to qualify for financial aid, but not enough to pay for school out of pocket. So, they've been really excited and grateful that we're more or less giving them a second chance at getting a college education."
There are more than 300 scholarships on the college's scholarship portal online, and up to 200 will be given away each semester to non-traditional students.
They have one more trip planned, heading to the Splash Pad at Spring Lake Park on July 28, before holding a final event on campus with food and activities to wrap up the "Roadshow."
"This has just really put things into perspective about how many students need extra help to get back on their feet or start their education," Austin said. "We've dealt with people who have kids, single parents, people who've gotten laid off because of COVID and are stuck in the sand, so to speak. So, it's really just been a humbling and eye-opening experience getting to see and hear some of the stories we've heard over the past couple of weeks."
(Visit texarkanacollege.edu/startover online for more information and to see the dates and times of each Roadshow location or call 903-823-3012.)