Lone Star College System is investing in its students through funds received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. The system will use its $328,036 to provide training and other preparations to students in workforce programs.

At Lone Star College-Tomball, monies will only pay the tuition costs for applicants who meet income requirements. Students, who benefit from this grant, are those who otherwise might not be able to afford the cost of an education.

"The grant is important to Lone Star College System as a whole because LSCS will have a chance to make an impact on students' lives by providing occupational skills training. Therefore, students will be able to face the competitive job market with skills learned at LSCS," Helen Jones, program coordinator for grants at LSCS, said.

The grant funds will be given to current or new LSC-Tomball students who are enrolled in their program by Dec. 31, 2010 as an electrician, nurse ADN, nurse aide, pharmacy technician, and LVN.

To qualify, students must meet income guidelines that have been determined by the Texas Workforce Commission and Houston Galveston Area Council and may have to undergo a background check. If a student is receiving unemployment benefits, he/she automatically qualifies for the grant. Applicants who enter a medical program may be asked to provide their immunization records.

For more information on the ARRA grant, contact Helen Jones at 281-290-2825 or Helen.J.Jones@LoneStar.edu.