28
July
2022
|
12:46 PM
America/Chicago

Free class initiative puts CIT student one step closer to graduation

“STC has been a really good and an affordable college to study and to get a degree from. It's not too expensive like other colleges and it’s easy to pay for classes. I just set a routine where I would give the down payment and then paid for my classes two months in advance. Anything is possible.”

CIT student Karina Arevalo

Attending South Texas College in the fall didn’t seem likely for Karina Arevalo at first.

Arevalo has long paid for her courses out of pocket, and despite being only a few courses short of receiving her bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology (CIT), Arevalo said life issues had initially put college out of reach.  

Then a “miracle” happened that made Arevalo cry with joy, she said. South Texas College announced that it would be offering $800 grants, the equivalent of a free class, to students for the coming semester.

Arevalo immediately took to social media to express her happiness.

“Thank you STC for helping students out. When I saw the post I cried (sic) because I did not know how I was going to pay for my bachelor’s degree (and) class,” Arevalo wrote on STC’s Facebook page. “Honestly, this post (made) my day today. Thank you for always being a great college.”

Graduating high school in 2013, Arevalo said she completed her associate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2017, but when her financial aid ran out, she began paying for her classes out of pocket with the hopes of receiving her bachelor’s degree.

Taking courses slowly, a semester at a time, Arevalo said she has worked hard to complete her degree, and is only three courses away from graduating.

“STC has been a really good and an affordable college to study and to get a degree from,” she said. “It's not too expensive like other colleges and it’s easy to pay for classes. I just set a routine where I would give the down payment and then paid for my classes two months in advance. Anything is possible.”

South Texas College Trustees approved an $800 grant for students who are registered or are interested in registering for fall 2022.

To be eligible for the grant, a student must register for at least three credit hours at STC and apply. If a student has already completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and received a Federal Pell Grant, the money will be automatically dispersed.

In Arevalo’s case, the grant puts her one step closer to receiving her bachelor’s degree, which she plans to complete by May 2023.

“I’m so close to graduating and I was going to take the semester off until this grant came through,” Arevalo said. “It has taken some time to get here, and it can be frustrating to pay out of pocket, but what is the alternative? I can’t give up on my dream, I have grown so much here and I am ready to achieve my goals.”

For those interested in enrolling for fall 2022 and becoming eligible for the grant, please visit www.southtexascollege.edu/freeclass/index.html