Pathways To Success

What is the Pathways to Success program?

Pathways to Success is a program designed to help you overcome barriers for the successful completion of your educational goals. These barriers include child care, textbooks and transportation costs. If you are eligible, you will receive assistance paying for your child care or transportation expenses. Textbooks may be available for your technical classes in the Pathways to Success Textbook Reserve Library. You will also receive assistance for educational planning, goal-setting and follow through to help reach your academic goals See Types of Assistancefor a complete list of services.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any student seeking a Technical degree or certificate and who are Full Pell eligible by having an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero (0) based upon the FAFSA and meets one of the following may be eligible:

• Single Parent
• Seeking a Degree or Certificate not Traditional for your Gender
• Have a documented disability
• Displaced Homemaker
• Limited English proficiency

Do I have to be a full time student to receive assistance?

No, you must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours.

When do I apply for assistance?

• Applications are accepted year - around.
• All eligible applicants will be considered in the order applications are received as funds become available.

After I turn in my application, how long does it take before I know if I will be getting assistance?

You will be notified by the third week of the semester by email regarding your award status.

What if I am not awarded childcare or textbook payment assistance?

You may still use the Pathways to Success Textbook Reserve Libraryand other Support services.

Why am I not getting assistance? I filled out the application and I met all the criteria!

Each semester the number of applications exceeds the amount of funding available. All awards are contingent on the availability of funds.

Do I have to use a specified childcare provider?

No, however, you must use a registered or licensed childcare provider.

What if I do not have a childcare provider?

You will be responsible for finding one who will meet your needs. For assistance in locating a provider who is licensed or registered, please refer to the Community Assistancelink.

If the above links do not supply you with the information you need, contact the Pathways to Success program coordinator.

Pathways to Success program offers the following services and assistance to eligible students:

• Childcare
  • Childcare Payment Assistance
• Transportation
  • Transportation Cost Assistance
• Textbook
  • Pathways to Success Textbook Reserve Library - Fall 2010
  • Pathways to Success Textbook Reserve Library - Spring 2011
• Educational and career planning
• Referrals to community and support assistance

Services and assistance limited to availability of funds.

Requirements:

1. Any student pursuing a technical certificate or associate of applied science degree (Click herefor a listing of approved certificates and degrees)

2. Full Pell eligible

3. Meet one of the following:
   • Single Parent
   • Seeking a Degree or Certificate not Traditional for your Gender (Click herefor a list)
   • Have a documented disability
   • Displaced Homemaker - anyone whose identity has been that of a homemaker but is now changing due to a major life change such as separation, divorce, disablement of spouse, death of a spouse or discontinuance of public assistance or financial support from a relative.
   • Limited English proficiency

4. Have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.

5. Enrolled in at least 6 college credit hours

6. Completed Texas Success Initiative requirements - college ready for reading, writing, and math.

Applications for childcare and transportation assistance are accepted year-round. Eligible applicants will be considered in the order applications are received and as funds become available.

Students can apply at any time during the school year. Assistance is determined for the following semester at the end of each previous semester. Students are notified, by mail, of their award status.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete the Application for Assistance


2. Return the completed Application to the Coordinator of Special Services – Click herefor contact information


3. Provide required documentation
   
   
   • Required documents for childcare assistance:
     
     
     • Proof of Pell Award (Can be printed from Campus Connect)
     • Completed Childcare Provider Verification Form
       
       Child care Provider must be one of the following:
       • Licensed child care center (Texas or Oklahoma)
       • Registered child care home (Texas)
       • Licensed child care home (Oklahoma)
     • Copy of birth certificate for each child you are requesting childcare assistance
     • Copy of class schedule (Can be printed from Campus Connect)
     • Unofficial copy of all college transcripts (GCC transcript can be printed on Campus Connect)
     
     
   • Required documents for childcare assistance:
     
     
     • Proof of Pell Award (Can be printed from Campus Connect)
     • Copy of class schedule (Can be printed from Campus Connect)
     • Unofficial copy of all college transcripts (GCC transcript can be printed on Campus Connect)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications will not be processed until all required documentation is received.

Priority Deadlines to apply for funding:

Semester Priority Deadline

Applications will be accepted after priority deadline.

Priority consideration is given to applications received before the priority deadline.

• Workforce Solutions Texoma- offers child care assistance to help low income families pay for childcare so they can go to work, attend an educational program or a vocational training program. The funds used to pay for childcare assistance are federal Child Care and Development Funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Customers receiving child care assistance must meet federal, state and local guidelines in order to qualify for childcare assistance.
  
  http://www.workforcesolutionstexoma.com/tuition-assistance/

• Workforce Solutions Texoma- operates the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) which may be able to help pay for tuition, books, and travel for up to two years. Eligible individuals include employees who are laid off or trade affected, displaced homemakers, and income eligible adults and youth.
  
  http://www.workforcesolutionstexoma.com/customers-applying-for-child-care/

• Division for Rehabilitation Services (DARS)- The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program helps people who have physical or mental disabilities prepare for, find or keep employment. Gaining skills needed for a career, learning how to prepare for a job interview or getting the accommodations needed to stay employed are just a few of the ways this program helps people with disabilities increase productivity and independence.
  
  Some of the services available to eligible persons are possible financial assistance including tuition and fees, contingent upon amount of other financial aid being received, and required textbooks, based on financial need and financial aid. There are also a number of other services that can be provided based on individual needs.
  
  http://www.dars.state.tx.us/drs/vr.shtml
  
  Division for Rehabilitation Services
  Sherman Field Office
  1800 Teague Drive Suite 404
  Sherman, TX 75090
  (903) 868-2527
  Toll Free: (877) 340-3368
  
  Contact Persons: Linda Little, VRC or Julie Penn-White, RST.

• Tutoring- GCC students are eligible for tutoring for any course in which they are currently enrolled. Services are provided without charge. http://www.grayson.edu/website/CollegeResources/tutoring.aspx

• Search Texas Child Care- Find and compare Texas childcare providers http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilitySearchDayCare.asp

• Oklahoma Child Care Locator- Find and compare Oklahoma childcare providers http://childcarefind.okdhs.org/childcarefind/

• Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG)- The Client Services program helps income-eligible households with certain education and employment costs. Assistance is intended as adjunct support for students seeking to gain or improve their employment in order to transition their households out of poverty.
  
  Some of the services available to eligible persons are financial assistance including books, tools, testing fees, supplies, child care and utility assistance. These services are determined on a case by case basis depending on documented need and funding availability.
  
  For additional information about services, or to set an appointment for an application:
  
  Texoma Council of Governments
  1117 Gallagher, Suite 300
  Sherman TX 75090
  
  Glenda Haynes 903-813-3528 or 1-800-677-8264 x3528
  
  DeAnna Carnall 903-813-3527 or 1-800-677-8264 x 3527
  
  http://www.texoma.cog.tx.us/index.html

Susan Lancaster
Coordinator of Special Services
Grayson County College – Main Campus
Counseling Center
6101 Grayson Drive
Denison, Texas 75020

phone: 903-463-8694
fax: 903-463-8613

lancastersu@grayson.edu

Office Hours: