KPRC 2 Senior Scholarship: Northside HS senior Zamoria Ellison overcame childhood trauma to accomplish remarkable academic achievements
KPRC 2 and American Furniture Warehouse are surprising 20 deserving high school seniors with scholarships in 2022. All students selected for scholarships have been nominated by their high schools.
KPRC 2 Senior Scholarship: Crosby HS senior Shelby Kouba participated in more than 20 organizations while maintaining 3.8 GPA. She’s now headed to Texas A&M
KPRC 2 and American Furniture Warehouse are surprising 20 deserving high school seniors with scholarships in 2022. All students selected for scholarships have been nominated by their high schools.
Biden to cancel up to $10K in federal student loan debt for certain borrowers and up to $20K for Pell Grant recipients
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will cancel up to $10,000 in student debt for borrowers who earn $125,000 a year or less and up to $20,000 for recipients of Pell Grants.
‘College Hill: Celebrity Edition’ cast members Slim Thug, Nene Leaks, Lamar Odom and more attend Texas Southern University for HBCU experience
Celebrities Nene Leakes, Slim Thug, Ray J, Lamar Odom, Big Freedia, Stacey Dash, DreamDoll, and India Love took on the challenge of higher education while being welcomed into Tiger nation and getting a taste of what it’s like to attend historically Black college Texas Southern University.
College keeps getting more expensive. That’s why it’s important to start planning now.
Local financial professional Ryan Wheless from Allied Wealth joined KPRC 2′s Owen Conflenti and Amy Davis on KPRC 2+ Friday to share his insights on 529 savings plans for education costs. Watch the full interview in the segment at the top of the page.
University of St. Thomas, St. John Methodist Church, Cisco to unveil free computer program that helps foster care students
University of St. Thomas, St. John Methodist Church and Cisco will participate in a special ceremony Wednesday to unveil a partnership designed to “educate, empower and create a bright future” for youth in foster care.
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Major sacrifice: Houston teen offers to deplete college savings in order to help her mother pay rent
HOUSTON – When a local mom lost her job, her 18-year-old daughter decided to drain her savings to keep a roof over their heads. Alondra Carmona sacrificed her dream of going to college to save her family. She planned to use that money to go to her dream school -- Barnard College. “It made me really sad,” Carmona said. AdIf you would like to help by contributing to Carmona’s school expenses, go to her GoFundMe page.
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University of Houston to offer first-ever Doctor of Nursing program after ‘unanimous’ approval
HOUSTON – The University of Houston will begin offering doctoral degrees in nursing after the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board voted unanimously to approve the program. Nursing shortages, especially primary care providers, nursing educators and leaders, prompted the program’s approval, according to a news release from the university. Founding Dean and Professor of UH’s College of Nursing Kathryn Dean said students who take national certification exams such as the NLCEX-RN score a 100% pass-rate average while on the program, bringing a competitive nursing education to a diverse student population. The university’s College of Nursing said the need for nurses with advanced degrees will jump up to 46% in the next 10 years. Learn more about the program or apply for the fall 2021 semester by clicking here.
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Stressed freshmen missing quintessential college experience
Even in normal times, freshman year in college can be a jumbled mix of anticipation, uncertainty and emotional highs and lows. In these hardly normal times, when the quintessential college experience exists only in catalogs, freshmen are being challenged like never before. He lives at home and said it’s often too distracting to focus on online classes so he spends his time on other pursuits. He found that daily campus life begins with temperature checks before breakfast and color-coded stickers to wear indicating no fever. A reserved 18-year-old from Indianapolis, she has already decided to go home and finish the rest of freshman year with online classes.
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Mayor Turner hosts rally at University of Houston to introduce Early Voting Challenge for Houston-area universities
HOUSTON – As the first day of early voting begins Tuesday, Mayor Sylvester Turner is encouraging young people to participate in the 2020 election. Turner is joining students at two college campus events to announce the Mayor’s Early Vote College Challenge to inspire the University of Houston, Texas Southern University and Rice University students to vote early. “Voting matters, who you vote for matters, and this election matters," Mayor Turner told students at a rally at the University of Houston. Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election begins Oct. 13 and ends Oct. 30. Click here to find early voting locations and hours in Harris County.
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Houston rapper Travis Scott offers to pay tuition for 5 HBCU students on Twitter
HOUSTON – Rapper Travis Scott was in a charitable mood Wednesday night as he offered to pay the tuition of five students that currently attend historically black colleges and universities. THAT ATTENDS AN HBCU https://t.co/5eQ6YXQMc5 — TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) October 7, 2020Scott said he plans to cover tuition for the students' first semesters. Wild — TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) October 7, 2020The rapper even announced two of the five selectees on the social media platform. https://t.co/t2Hrvqz5Cw — TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) October 7, 2020My mom always wanted me to go here.!!!! https://t.co/VwWwr0SswO — TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) October 7, 2020This is sure to be a gift they’ll never forget because, after all, a college education can be expensive.
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Ask 2 Live: Everything students and parents need to know about preparing for college during the pandemic
HOUSTON – As the school year progresses, high school students and parents will soon begin to look at colleges and universities. Whether it’s a local community college or a university out of state, this year the road to a future career is looking a bit different in the midst of COVID-19. Watch: Raising ‘good digital citizens’ and more from our Zoom conversation on cyberbullyingOn Thursday, local experts from Project GRAD Houston, College Readiness for the YMCA of Greater Houston, Lee College, Houston Community College and Houston ISD joined KPRC'2 Ask 2 Live for a discussion about college preparedness. Contact our PanelistsVeronica Lawrence, Program Manager, Project GRAD Houston, vlawrence@projectgradhouston.orgCarl Husband, Ed.D . - Assistant Registrar & Director of Admissions, Lee College, chusband@lee.eduAlyska Malveaux - Association Director of College Readiness, YMCA of Greater Houston, Alyska.malveaux@ymcahouston.orgVanessa Grover - Program Director, Outreach & Recruitment, Houston Community College, Vanessa.grover@hccs.eduMichael Love - Executive Director of Career Readiness, Houston ISD, mlove@houstonisd.orgResources:Finding a CollegeBigFuture CollegeBoardCollegeXpressCollege GreenlightScholarshipsCollege Scholarships.orgNicheScholarships.comFastwebAdditional ResourcesMake an appointment with a GRAD advisorYMCA HoustonGRADcafe
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As Texas college towns emerge as coronavirus hot spots, universities try to keep students from infecting locals
That’s compared to 23% in counties with a smaller proportion of students, including larger metropolitan areas like Houston and Dallas that also house universities. The Texas counties where university students make up the biggest share of the population are home to Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Sul Ross State University, Sam Houston State University, and several A&M campuses, including the flagship in College Station, Tarleton State University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Texas A&M University-Commerce. Since Aug. 1, Texas Tech has logged more than 1,400 cases of COVID-19, including at least 1,266 among students. “It’s not about me,” Cook said, in a mantra he has repeated to college students. Disclosure: Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Sul Ross State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University System, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas System, University of Texas at El Paso and University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
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What you need to know about college applications, financial aid and more amid pandemic
Her daughter Hilary is a senior at Glenda Dawson High School in the Pearland Independent School District. He’s a senior at Strake Jesuit High School and says the “new normal” is anything but. Financial aidProjectGRAD Houston is a free resource for parents and students which helps them with college and career prep. Check and update your college listDue to COVID-19, many colleges and universities have made changes to their admissions deadlines and important dates. The experts suggest that you need to make sure you’re informed about the school’s most up-to-date deadlines and information.
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Houston education expert shares tips to navigate fall semester | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2
Houston education expert shares tips to navigate fall semester | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2Published: August 21, 2020, 4:40 pmWhether they return to campus or they learn at a virtual classroom, all college students deserve to thrive amid this challenging semester. Ibrahim first, chief educational consultant at Firat Education, shares academic, financial and social tips to help them navigate this new landscape.
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Notre Dame cancels classes for 2 weeks after COVID-19 spike
(AP) Notre Dame University on Tuesday canceled in-person undergraduate classes for two weeks after a spike of coronavirus cases that occurred since the semester began Aug. 10. John Jenkins says he decided against sending students home after consulting with health care experts. Jenkins said there have been 147 confirmed cases of coronavirus on campus since the start of classes. It is very serious and we must take serious actions, Jenkins said in an address to students and staff. Tuesdays action by Notre Dame follows the decision by officials of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to switch to remote learning starting Wednesday.
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UT-Austin faces a third lawsuit claiming that white students were unfairly denied admission under affirmative action
The statue of George Washington outside the University of Texas at Austin Main Building on July 16, 2020. The group, Students for Fair Admissions, is a nonprofit of "more than 20,000 students, parents and others" who believe that racial classifications and preferences in college admissions are "unfair, unnecessary, and unconstitutional," according to the group's website. In 2018, about 75 percent of UT-Austin students received automatic admission to the school through the Top 10 Percent Rule, a state law that offers admission to Texas students near the top of their high school class. The university has factored race and ethnicity into its admissions decisions for the remaining applicants since 2003, when a different U.S. Supreme Court ruling declared race-based affirmative action constitutional. "The university is reviewing the new lawsuit from (Students for Fair Admissions)," said J.B. Bird, a UT-Austin spokesperson, in a statement.
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Lone Star College students who were impacted by COVID-19 can get special funding this fall semester. Heres how to apply.
HOUSTON Lone Star College students can receive extra help by applying for financial assistance for the fall semester. In a release on Tuesday, students who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can find financial help thanks to the CARES Act. This special funding is specifically intended for students who have been impacted by the coronavirus, said Stephen C. Head, Lone Star College chancellor. The college system said with the availability of CARES Act funding, Lone Star College will provide 5,000 laptops for students in the fall, in an effort to close the digital divide. In addition to CARES Act funding, students can also apply for various other methods of financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
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Students frustrated that college tuition remains unchanged despite most classes moving online
They care more about the money than the students, said Alan, a student at the University of Houston student. Alan, like many students and parents, is frustrated over unchanged tuition costs despite the move to online learning. The University of Texas at Austin said the cost will be the same for in-person or virtual classes. Meanwhile, information from UH shows only a $3 difference between tuition costs for online and in-person classes. Hodges says she is locked into an off-campus lease during a time when the school is opting for virtual learning.
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Judge to hear arguments in challenge to foreign student rule
New visas would not be issued to students at schools planning to provide all classes online, which includes Harvard. Colleges say the policy puts students safety at risk and hurts schools financially. Immigration officials, however, say they told colleges all along that any guidance prompted by the pandemic was subject to change. They say the rule is consistent with existing law barring international students from taking classes entirely online. Federal officials say they are providing leniency by allowing students to keep their visas even if they study online from abroad this fall.
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Drones named among Elite 11, reflects on the experience
Elite 11 Finalist. Elite 11 quarterback. 6 and then in the final rankings he made it among the Elite 11. "Elite 11 was always a dream of mine," Drones said. During the Elite 11, Drones enjoyed learning from the coaches and getting to know the other quarterbacks.
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Thousands of international students may need to leave US if their schools transition to online-only learning in fall, ICE announces
HOUSTON International students who are pursuing degrees in the United States will have to leave the country or risk deportation if their universities switch to online-only courses, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Monday. The move may affect thousands of foreign students who come to the United States to attend universities or participate in training programs, as well as non-academic or vocational studies. Universities nationwide are beginning to make the decision to transition to online courses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As of January, there were 365 primary school students and 2,362 secondary school students in Texas who are on a student visa. The agency suggested that students currently enrolled in the US consider other measures, like transferring to schools with in-person instruction.
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This is what you need to know about the COVID-19 emergency relief grants for college students
Houston If you have a college student at home, or you are one, you may be able to get an emergency pandemic grant to help with expenses. Congress set aside $6 billion for emergency grants for college students. This is money that does not have to be paid back. Your first stop should be your school's financial aid office because each university has its own application process. The grants are supposed to cover expenses caused by campus disruptions because of coronavirus closures.
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SOUND OFF: Heres what some Houstonians are saying about students returning to the classroom next school year
HOUSTON Houston-area parents are playing the waiting game as schools release their 2020-2021 academic calendars and introduce possible reopening scenarios for returning students. We asked the question: What do you think your kids school needs most to be safely prepared for the 2020-2021 school year? How can they be expected to stay 6 apart when returning to school? Humble ISD is giving an option for rotational schedules for at school learning, but they do not have any plans set in place for how they will execute social distancing. Also allowing the parents who choose to keep their kid(s) home can still do remote learning through the school.
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These are the schools reporting coronavirus cases within their athletic programs
(CNN) The list of athletics programs in universities across the US reporting coronavirus cases is growing. See the list of impacted schools below:Arkansas StateSeven athletes from three of the school's sports programs tested positive in early June. "Clemson has notified and isolated each of those individuals who tested positive for a period of at least 10 days. University of AlabamaSeveral University of Alabama football players tested positive for coronavirus in early June, according to multiple reports, including Sports Illustrated and AL.com. 10 other football players will self-isolate due to contact tracing, "all of whom are asymptomatic at this time."
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Tips for college graduates to get a job post COVID-19
ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – This year, more than 3.8 million students in the U.S. will graduate from college. It should be an exciting time, but college grads are entering a depleted workforce during a global financial crisis. “I had investment banking job interviews, and I had a bunch of interviews set up for this spring and they all got canceled for obvious reasons,” said Joe Kiyosaki, a 2020 college graduate. Still, there are ways to improve your chances of getting a job when it all ends. Other challenges for grads: traditional job fairs and interviews are pretty much nonexistent.
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Texas A&M System approves $100 million scholarship fund to address "diversity issues"
The Academic Building on the Texas A&M University campus on March 26, 2018. Sharp also emphasized the need for A&M's student population to reflect that of the state. Currently, white students comprise more than half of the student population at A&M's College Station campus, while black students make up less than 4%, according to 2019 data. Hispanic and Asian students students make up 21% and 8% of the student population, respectively. Disclosure: The Texas A&M University System has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
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Prairie View A&M University to launch Center for Race and Justice in response to death of George Floyd
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas Prairie View A&M University President Ruth Simmons has announced the university is launching a Center for Race and Justice and will require a mandatory class on the history of race for incoming students as a response to the death of Houston native George Floyd and other similar murders that have taken place across the United States. Now we must call upon that identity to give us guidance and succor in the coming period.Simmons said as soon as it is approved, incoming students will be required to take a course on the History of Race and Class in the United States. Led by Professor Melanye Price, the center will serve as a resource to encourage teaching and scholarship that contributes positively to overturning systematic biases that impede the ability of minorities and other groups to be accorded their full rights under the U.S. Constitution, Simmons said. Simmons believes the death of Floyd is a catalyst to implement actions that can have a lasting impact on the historically black college, the students and surrounding communities. Click here to read Simmons entire letter.
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Meet the 13-year-old who graduated from college with four associate’s degrees
With his love for video games and petty arguments with his older sister, Jack Rico might seem like any other 13-year-old. But Rico is anything but average: the teenager just graduated with four associate's degrees -- and he did it in just two years. Rico graduated from Fullerton College in California last weekend, making him the youngest student to achieve that feat in the school's 107-year-old history, the college confirmed to CNN. But Fullerton College President Greg Schulz said Rico can't help but stick out from the crowd. "Jack is wise beyond his years, and I'm so pleased that he found a home and place to excel at Fullerton College."
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Looking for a good 2-year college? This study says these are the best ones in Texas
HOUSTON – Two Texas schools have been ranked among the top 25 community colleges in America. Niche.com put out its annual best colleges list, where it ranks public and private schools across the nation in categories like academics, value, diversity, and even party scene. According to the 2020 ranking for best two-year community colleges, San Jacinto College and Northwest Vista College were ranked 13 and 21 respectively among the top 25. Northwest Vista College also received a B+ and As in the same four categories, but students who graduate tend to make a lower starting salary of $28,900. Head to Niche.com’s Best Colleges ranking to see where other Texas schools landed on the list.
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Local charity gives away 400 free laptops for students during coronavirus crisis
Hard-working parents like Samantha Miller are desperately trying to get laptop computers for the children. Thanks to Comp-U-Dopt, Miller’s children are getting a free laptop to use at home. How to get a free laptop? If you would like to register to get a free laptop computer for your children, you must log onto the Comp-U-Dopt website at noon daily to register. If you have a used laptop you can donate, you can visit the website for more information.
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Houston upsets No. 16 Wichita State, 65-54
16 Wichita State 65-54 on Saturday, beating a ranked team in a very difficult environment, Sampson thought back to this season’s origins. But holding Wichita State (15-3, 3-2 American) to 22 points below its season average and to just one double-digit scorer (Tyson Etienne with 10) was the Cougars’ biggest achievement. A Wichita State team looking to bounce back at home from its second loss of the season managed just 25 first-half points. “We’ve got to play like we were before we were ranked.”SWAT TEAMHouston had nine blocked shots to none for Wichita State. Wichita State: At South Florida on Tuesday.
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You will be able to get a bachelor’s degree at Lone Star College beginning in 2020
HOUSTON – Houston-area students can start pursuing their bachelor’s degrees for a fraction of the cost at Lone Star College. The community college will offer bachelor’s degrees of applied technology in cybersecurity (BAT), of science in nursing (RN-BSN) and of applied science in energy manufacturing and trades management (BAS). 🥳We received approval to offer bachelor’s degree programs, including Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Bachelor of Applied... Posted by Lone Star College on Wednesday, December 11, 2019The acceptance rate at Lone Star is currently 100-percent; however, the bachelor’s degree programs will be competitive. Officials for Lone Star state online, “The Bachelor of Science, Nursing (RN-BSN) is selective entry. For more information, visit Lone Star online.