The University of Houston-Downtown is once again the recipient of a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) grant to assist students returning to college and creating a pathway to earning their degrees.

The $300,000 grant is part of a third round of funding awarded by the THECB’s Reskilling Grant program that seeks to assist returning students seeking their bachelor’s degrees, and graduate students seeking support of credentials that will guide them toward advancement in their careers.

According to Associate Vice President of Planning & Curriculum Dr. Michelle Moosally, “The grant guidelines have been expanded and we can now offer support to students who have completed fewer than 60 hours as well as former First Time In College (FTIC) students and possibly graduate students.”

“UHD serves a diverse population,” Moosally said. “We are committed to providing access and opportunities to those students seeking to return and complete their college education, which includes FTIC and working adult students. The Reskilling Grant aligns directly with those goals.”

The grant funding will continue to operate under the leadership of University College’s “Return 2 Complete” student reclamation initiative, which is also supporting the reskilling grant focused on the Bachelor of Applied Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Applied Administration (BAAS-AA) program. The BAAS-AA program is providing students the ​opportunity to develop competencies, skills, and the foundation to prepare them for promotions to administrative and supervisory positions in corporate or non-profit organizations. 

“Our success with the reskilling grants is underpinned by our strong cross-unit partnership among Financial Aid, Admissions, and Student Business Services as well as our academic advising teams in all colleges,” Moosally added.

University College Dean Dr. Scott Marzilli said the funds provided through these grants have provided UHD with greater resources to support students and help make their dreams of a college degree come true.

“Through this funding, we are able to help these students gain valuable knowledge and skills that lead to professional advancement and opportunities in their careers,” Marzilli said.

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. 

“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."