Jan. 24 2022, Austin, TX – The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has awarded $26.2 million in grant funding to 60 Texas higher education institutions. The grants are designed to help Texans access higher-paying jobs through completion of a postsecondary credential. Grants were awarded through two programs: the Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program awarded $10,425,000 through 17 grants to 24 institutions, and $15,826,990 was awarded in 43 grants to 42 institutions through the Accelerating Credentials of Purpose and Value Grant Program.
“To remain competitive, we must lead the nation at producing credentials of value that meet the needs of our fast-growing economy,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Harrison Keller. “We need to emphasize the importance of credentials that are affordable, attainable, and bring value to the lives of all Texans. Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature recognized early in the pandemic that raising the bar in higher education would be central to the state’s economy recovery, and we’re grateful for their continued support.”
The grants are supported by a portion of the $362 million in Governor’s Emergency Educational Relief (GEER) Funding that has been allocated to the THECB. Awardees were selected through a competitive process and were notified of their awards in December 2021.
Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program
The Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant provides emergency financial support to students whose education has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as displaced workers seeking training to return to the workforce and students who stopped out of higher education prior to the pandemic but are looking to return. This was the third round of Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grants, with 65 grantees receiving over $27 million in rounds one and two. The latest round of awardees includes:
Consortia grant ($1,875,000)
- Collin College (Consortium with University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas A&M Commerce, and North Central Texas College): $1,875,000
Individual grants (total $8,550,000)
- Midwestern State University: $112,500
- Our Lady of the Lake University: $112,500
- Panola College: $300,000
- South Texas College: $112,500
- Tarleton State University: $1,500,000
- Texas A&M International: $750,000
- Texas A&M Kingsville: $300,000
- Texas A&M San Antonio: $300,000
- Texas Southern University: $750,000
- Texas State University: $1,500,000
- University of Houston Clear Lake: $112,500
- University of Houston Downtown: $300,000
- University of St. Thomas: $300,000
- University of Texas Arlington: $1,500,000
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: $300,000
- University of Texas San Antonio: $300,000
Accelerating Credentials of Purpose and Value Grant Program
Through the Accelerating Credentials of Purpose and Value Grant Program, institutions will create or expand short-term, industry-recognized postsecondary credentials that incorporate skills and knowledge required by high-demand careers, that stem from digital skills, data analytics, and front-line healthcare programs. Awardees include:
Consortia grants (total $6,821,790)
- Grayson College (consortium with Weatherford College): $749,850
- Lee College (consortium with Brazosport College): $611,690
- Texas A&M International University (consortium with The University of Texas Health Sciences
- Center at Houston School of Biomedical Informatics): $245,700
- Texas A&M University-Central Texas (consortium with Temple College): $333,570
- Texas A&M University System: $413,070
- Texas State University (consortium with Sam Houston State University): $1,445,000
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (consortium with South Texas College): $1,245,000
- The University of Texas System: $50,000
- University of Houston (consortium with University of Houston-Clear Lake): $1,000,530
- University of North Texas (consortium with North Central Texas College): $727,380
Individual grants (total $9,005,200)
- Alamo Colleges: $500,000
- Alvin Community College: $50,000
- Austin Community College: $310,650
- Brazosport College: $130,150
- Coastal Bend College: $463,620
- Lamar University: $420,000
- McLennan Community College: $91,500
- Navarro College: $94,300
- Panola College: $314,350
- Prairie View A&M University: $241,270
- Sam Houston State University: $331,720
- San Jacinto College: $27,110
- South Texas College: $289,720
- Tarleton State University: $497,460
- Temple College: $491,800
- Texas A&M International University: $49,730
- Texas A&M University: $301,450
- Texas A&M University-Central Texas: $201,000
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville: $427,170
- Texas A&M University-Commerce: $134,600
- Texas A&M University-San Antonio: $162,080
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: $472,220
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso: $210,320
- The University of Texas at Arlington: $264,700
- The University of Texas at Dallas: $177,000
- The University of Texas at El Paso: $266,690
- The University of Texas Medical Branch: $305,060
- The University of Texas Permian Basin: $410,000
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: $398,710
- The University of Texas at San Antonio: $33,470
- University of Houston: $339,760
- University of North Texas: $325,320
- University of North Texas Health Science Center: $272,270
The mission of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is to serve as a resource, partner, and advocate for Texas higher education, resulting in a globally competitive workforce that positions Texas as an international leader. The agency works to support the state’s higher education goals, found in Texas’ strategic plan for higher education, Building a Talent Strong Texas. THECB can be found online at highered.texas.gov.