Austin Community College’s new, all-inclusive scholarship program supports students focused on starting a career immediately after ACC. Career Scholars receive financial and academic support while working toward a certificate or associate degree in an approved area of study. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition and fees — for a total of $5,000 disbursed over a period of up to 3 years — and ensures recipients have the guidance and support they need to reach their goals. Career Scholars builds holistic support services around the students, with rich career service resources and academic support in an effort to 1) alleviate financial barriers that often prevent underserved student populations from attaining a higher ed credential; 2) support students academically while enhancing their career skills, and 3) give students exposure to potential internships with industry partners in their area of study. The unique Career Scholars program serves two categories of students: graduating high school seniors and current ACC adult learners. Participants in the High School Career Scholars program work toward a certificate or associate degree in a field that was identified by the Texas Workforce Commission as having high demand and earning potential. These fields are: Arts, Digital Media & Communications; Business; Computer Sciences, Information Technology, Engineering; Education; Health Care; Manufacturing/Skilled Trades; Public & Social Services. The Career Scholars Program for adults is open to adult learners interested in the following career areas, which have strong hiring and salary opportunities: Accounting/Bookkeeping; Computer Sciences; Health Care; Manufacturing; and Applied Tech/Skilled Trades.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.
PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)
APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 282
HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program
WEBSITE TO APPLY: https://www.austincc.edu/students/career-scholars
EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes have been internally collected in the past
PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES DATA: Approximately 87% of students in the Fall 2021 Adult Career Scholars cohort and 80% of students in the High School Career Scholars cohort persisted to Spring 2022 or graduated, compared to the ACC district average of 73% among first time in college students.
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Affairs
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Kathy James at kjames@austincc.edu or 512-223-7327
- Subject:
- Student Success
- Material Type:
- Student Success: Student-facing
- Provider:
- Austin Community College District
- Date Added:
- 09/27/2022