Former Houston City College students who did not get to finish their degrees may have a new way to return to classes without paying a penny.

The big picture

The college recently launched its Houston Reconnect Initiative, a scholarship program aimed at supporting students financially by paying tuition and fees for those who are interested in finishing their degree at HCC, officials said.

“This is HCC’s way of helping students whose academic studies were interrupted by work or life issues to restart their education and fulfill their aspirations,” HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher said in a July 23 news release. “Our goal is to help every student complete and succeed.”

The details

The program is the first of its kind in the state of Texas, following efforts that were piloted in other markets, including Tennessee and Massachusetts, HCC Southwest College President Michael Webster said in an email.

Eligible students must:

• Be 25 years or older
• Have earned a 2.5 GPA at HCC
• Have earned 15 credit hours toward a credential of value or 25 hours toward an associate’s degree
• Have been out of college between one and five years
• Have no outstanding debt with HCC

“The core of this initiative speaks directly to our mission and vision,” Webster said. “We want to see all of our students succeed. When they succeed, Houston succeeds, so we believe by finishing their education, students have the best chance to succeed.”

Get involved

To apply, students should request information at [email protected].

Applicants will receive an email with intake forms and will be required to complete an in-person or online onboarding program.