Within the last month, Alamo Colleges has introduced several initiatives to help students cope with COVID-19 and how to keep learning during a pandemic.
First announced, the Keep Learning plan encompasses four different initiatives, and each have different eligibility for students to qualify. Soon after, Alamo Colleges rolled out the Student Emergency Aid. The district has a Q&A for both of these plans on its website.
Keep Learning
- Expanded Summer Momentum – Full-time students currently enrolled in the Spring 2020 term with a GPA of 2.0 or better as of May 1, 2020, can earn up to 9 FREE academic credit hours this summer. Part-time students currently enrolled in the Spring 2020 term with a GPA of 2.0 or better as of May 1, 2020, can earn up to 6 FREE academic credit hours this summer. Note: This expanded program is not the same from last summer’s momentum program and student eligibility is different.
- Clean Slate – A program that eliminates a student’s outstanding balance up to $500 from the fall 2019 or spring 2020 semesters.
- Payment Plan – This initiative reduces the fee to set up a tuition payment plan for Fall 2020 from $25 to just $1.
- No Cost Testing – The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test, which usually costs $32, is being offered at no cost between May 1 and June 20, 2020.
See link.
CARES Act
Alamo Colleges established the Student Emergency Aid to provide resources for students who need temporary assistance, such as paying for equipment needed for remote learning, health or childcare, groceries, etc. This emergency aid includes financial help from the federal CARES Act Emergency Aid, the Alamo Colleges Foundation’s COVID-19 Student Impact Fund and College Advocacy Centers.
Eligibility Includes:
- Students who are or were enrolled in Spring 2020
- Students who were enrolled Fall 2019 PLUS are enrolled in either Maymester 2020, Summer 1 2020 or Summer II 2020
- Application for CARES Act Funds is available in ACES under your Financial Aid tab.
- If a student doesn’t qualify for CARES Act Funds, other emergency aid may be available through the Alamo Colleges Foundation’s COVID-19 Student Impact Fund and College Advocacy Centers. Apply through the Alamo Colleges Advocacy Helpline at 210-486-1111
See link.
NVC Student Advocacy
The NVC Student Advocacy team is also helping students. They are providing:
- Case Management – Provides one-to-one assessment and planning to help coordinate and monitor student’s health and human service needs.
- Counseling – Mental health support services are provided via a secure online environment.
- Information and Referral – Provides information about support programs accessed through public and private service providers after a brief assessment of client needs.
- Emergency Assistance – Provided for students through emergency grants to help with unexpected emergencies such as rent and utilities.
Recently there was a faculty and staff webinar to answer questions employees had to help students. To see that story, go here.
Here’s the link to the Advocacy page.
