Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) along with Dr. Ray Keck, President of Texas A&M International University, announced five grants totaling $49,900,012 at TAMIU’s University Success Center.

“As a graduate of Texas A&M International University, I know first-hand the dedication the university has in ensuring that every graduate is a successful and contributing member of our society,” Congressman Cuellar said. “As an advocate of higher education, I applaud TAMIU in securing the federal funds and know that the programs and initiatives to be funded will have a lasting impact on students and our community.”

The first grant, in the amount of $42,974,903 aid the GEAR UP program, which will work with 7th graders from 19 school districts for seven years with a primary goal of increasing high school graduation rates as well as the number of students entering postsecondary education.

The 19 school districts are: Laredo ISD, United ISD, Webb Consolidated ISD, Zapata County ISD, Jim Hogg County ISD, Benavides ISD, Freer ISD, San Diego ISD, Alice ISD, Orange Grove ISD, Ben/Bolt Palito Blanco ISD, Premont ISD, Cotulla ISD, Dilley ISD, Pearsall ISD, Crystal City ISD, La Pryor ISD, Carrizo Springs CIDS and Eagle Pass ISD. It is estimated that the 7th grade cohort will consist of nearly 8,000 students and will graduate in spring 2017.

The second grant, in the amount of $4,349,955 will aid in raising the number of students in earning Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics degrees (STEM). To achieve this goal, TAMIU will implement a number of activities and initiatives including: tutoring, mentoring, writing classes, expanding research experiences, providing internships and financial assistance. The activities and services to be provided are divided into outreach, retention and securing graduations of target students (Hispanic and/or low income). It is projected that 6500 local students will be reached through the program.

The third grant, in the amount of $2,333,768 from the Department of Education will aid TAMIU’S High School Equivalency Program (HEP). Specifically, the target students are those who are personally engaged or have parents that are engaged in migrant farm work. Achieving a secondary school diploma and enrolling in postsecondary education and/or entering the work force are the main goals of the program. Since its inception in 2006, 464 students have participated in the program.

“With the help of scholarships such as the ones that will be afforded to students through these programs, I was able to earn my advanced degrees,” Congressman Cuellar said. “The opportunities these grants will provide help level the playing field so that no matter the economic or ethnic background, all students are given the chance to further their education and fill in demand jobs, in turn contributing to our recovering economy.”

The fourth grant in the amount of $136,386 from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) will fund scholarships and traineeships for nursing students who are economically disadvantaged and come from underrepresented racial or ethnic minority groups.

The fifth grant in the amount of $105,000 from the National Science Foundation will allow the Biology Department at TAMIU, which has grown over 30 percent in the past two years, to purchase state of the art research equipment.

“From those working towards a high school degree or those pursuing careers in STEM fields or nursing leadership and service, to those researching the science and technology of the future, these far-ranging awards help all to imagine their possibilities at TAMIU,” said Dr. Ray Keck, President of TAMIU.