A-B Tech Receives Funding to Assist Student Parents
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has received continued funding for its Child Care Assistance program for 2014-15.
The need-based program offers support determined by a student’s application for Federal Student Aid. The funds from the N.C. Community College System remove barriers for students attending school by providing assistance with childcare expenses.
Associate in Arts student Stella Galyean knows her degree would take much longer to earn if she didn’t have access to affordable child care. “The grant helps me … take classes later in the day. My husband works part-time in the evenings and it is really hard to arrange child care,” she said.
A sixth-grade dropout and mother of five, Galyean has earned a certificate in Substance Abuse studies and a Microsoft certification. She is currently the president of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, and is a member of the student leadership society on campus.
“I do not have family in the area and all my friends are either working or at school. Without assistance I would be forced to take morning classes only and it would draw out my degree,” Galyean said.
“A-B Tech strives to do what’s best for our students,” said Dr. Terry Braiser, Vice President for Student Services. “Knowing that their children are in a safe environment while they are in class is important to their academic success.”
This year’s grant is assisting 24 students. Applications are generally received in August, and those who qualify receive a portion of the funds to be used throughout the school year. For more information about the program, contact Kim England at (828) 398-7143.
About A-B Tech
One of 58 colleges in the North Carolina Community College System, A-B Tech offers associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in more than 50 curriculum programs through its five academic divisions: Allied Health and Public Service Education, Arts and Sciences, Business and Hospitality Education, Emergency Services, and Engineering and Applied Technology. The Division of Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education offers opportunities for workforce partnerships, specific job training and retraining, and personal enrichment classes.
A-B Tech enrolls more than 25,000 curriculum and continuing education students in programs at its Asheville, Enka, Madison, South Asheville, Woodfin, and Goodwill locations. Visit www.abtech.edu for more information.
