According to the American Rescue Plan Act Higher Education Relief Fund Three Student Grant Report, Tyler Junior College received additional funding for students in need of emergency funds due to COVID-19. The ARP issued an amount of over $13 million for grants to students’ cost of tuition, housing, food, etc. The amount of $509,900 has been distributed to 342 students as of Aug. 5, 2021. Over 9,500 students have been estimated to be eligible for this grant during the 21-22 school year.
To receive this grant, students must complete the TJC HEERF III application for qualification. Award amounts will be determined based on the four priority tiers below.
Tier 1: $1200 + $500 Pell bonus if student’s EFC falls within the ED specified range
Tier 2: $1000 + $500 Pell bonus if student’s EFC falls within the ED specified range
Tier 3: $800 + $500 Pell bonus if student’s EFC falls within the ED specified range
Tier 4: Amount awarded will be equivalent to what was given to other students in the same term
So what criteria is used to determine eligibility? Manager of scholarships and Rusk TJC Citizens Promise, Megan Burns said, “We look at their financial aid, we look at their enrollment, and their grades. We look at what they submit about themselves and what they’re seeking assistance for so we read that and try to see what situation they’re in and then also we look at the select things they can benefit from.”
TJC’s COVID Relief Grant has already been much aid to many students. Freshman Kinsey Ponder said, “I got $1,500. It’s covered more than half my tuition as a full-time student so I won’t have a lot of student loans. I couldn’t work when I had it but more importantly, COVID shut down my mom’s job she had for years.”
In the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act Report of July 31, 2021, TJC was issued over $3 million which was distributed to 2,466 students. Approximately $6 million had also been given to 3,540 students in the form of the TJC COVID Relief Grant. The CRSSA funds are fully expended.
Karleigh Crawford • Sep 26, 2021 at 11:24 pm
I think this is really great grant for students. Most everyone has been affected from COVID and things like this are extremely helpful for students and their families.
Johnathon Hannah • Sep 25, 2021 at 2:14 am
It’s honestly nice to see things like this. While we might not have free college/university like some other countries, we do at least have programs like this to help people along.
jpresti3 • Feb 18, 2022 at 2:36 pm
I was ecstatic that this relief program was created. I lost my job during the pandemic and getting this helped me pay off student debt so I could re-enroll in TJC.
Derrick Williams • Sep 24, 2021 at 8:59 pm
This is great, because it really help college students out. COVID put families in hard position in their life’s. For the school to have this grant is incredible.
Isabelle Powell • Sep 14, 2021 at 9:19 pm
This was really a great grant for students, this helped me pay for my college books this semester as well as groceries. This pandemic has been hard for us all, with hours being cut or being completely unemployed.
Tia Owens • Sep 13, 2021 at 9:16 pm
This probably has to be one of the greatest grants they could have offered students. For many students and their families I know it has been tough. This whole pandemic has put a strain on so many people. So thank you TJC for this grant, students like myself appreciate it a lot.
Breana Green • Sep 12, 2021 at 12:31 pm
This is something great to help college students.