TRUE Institutional Capacity Grant Program

About the TRUE Institutional Capacity Grant Program:

The Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Institutional Capacity Grant Program aims to accelerate the number of high-value, short-term credential opportunities offered to students that is so urgently needed for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Completion for grant support took place in late 2021. Institutions receiving these grants are considered participants in a statewide learning agenda that is seeking deeper knowledge about the sequencing, velocity, mobility and stability of reskilling/upskilling pathways in Texas. The data provided by periodic grant reports, as well as additional research requests from THECB, will support understanding of the state's current and potential capacity to support students seeking to re-enter the workforce equipped with valuable knowledge and skills.

All of the courses in the application, with the exception of Medical Administration, will be delivered in a face-to-face environment initially. KC is working with adjunct faculty to improve online instruction mastery and may offer some courses in hybrid or completely online format in 2022. Eligible pathways for grant-funded student assistance are: Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Certified Nurse Aide, Patient Care Technician, Electrocardiograph Technician and Medical Coding.

Goal one is to effectively recruit a minimum of five students per cohort, per program. KC will work with Workforce Solutions of East Texas to help identify candidates who have been displaced from manufacturing and oil and gas jobs in the region. Workforce Solutions has offices at the KC Longview North Building and has weekly office assignments at the Kilgore campus.

Goal two is to award student financial aid for tuition up to 80 students in program cohorts ($58,000). Awards per student will be the cost of tuition with a maximum award of $1,000. The average student award will be $725. The college anticipates training 10 students in Pharmacy Technician and Phlebotomy; 16 students in Certified Nurse Assistant; 12 students in Medical Coding; and 16 students each in Patient Care Technician and Electrocardiogram Technician.

Goal three is to see a minimum of 70 students complete training and pass certification exams.

How do I apply?

Because funds are federal pass-through, students will need to complete a 2021-22 FAFSA even though this is CE and not Pell-eligible. Once the FAFSA is completed, please notify the KC Financial Aid Office.

Also, there are T-PEG funds available, so they could potentially receive TRUE and T-PEG funding.