Legislators Allocate Millions In TEXAS Grants to UTPA

UTPA News Release:

The University of Texas-Pan American will help almost 5,000 students pay for their education, pending final approval from the state on awarding TEXAS Grants.

The state is expected to approve allocating approximately $23.2 million to UTPA for the TEXAS (Toward Excellence, Access and Success) Grants for the coming school year, which will allow the University to provide financial aid to about 3,000 returning students and roughly 1,500 new students.

UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen hailed the decision of the Texas Legislature to continue providing TEXAS Grants. During the most recent Legislative session funding for the grants was threatened to be cut under the House's proposed budget.

Nelsen had been a strong proponent of keeping the grants in the state budget and urged lawmakers during Legislative committee meetings to continue providing funding for them.

In April, the Legislature came to a compromise that would provide the grants to about 33,000 students statewide.

"We are extremely fortunate to have received a $23.2 million allocation for TEXAS Grants. This funding represents our future—the future of the students of the Rio Grande Valley and the state’s commitment to higher education," Nelsen said. "We are very pleased that the Legislature did the right thing."

This is the largest first allotment the University has received — UTPA usually receives an allotment for the grants in the beginning of the school year and another one toward the end of the school year if other state institutions do not use all of their money for the grants — according to Elaine Rivera, executive director of UTPA's Student Financial Services.

Rivera and other UTPA officials said they are relieved and excited about the news because the Legislature considered not offering the grants for the next biennium (school years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013). Rivera said she and her staff did not include those grants in determining financial aid packages for students because of the possibility of that money not being available.

In order to provide aid to more students, the maximum award for the TEXAS Grant will be $5,000 instead of $7,100, Rivera said. That can still help pay tuition for 12 credit hours for the fall and spring semesters each, she added.

"Now our students don't have to worry about how to pay for tuition and fees," she said.

Previous recipients of the grants said without that money, they would have struggled to pay for school.

The TEXAS Grants allowed Corinne Garza to pay for books and transportation from her home in Pharr to the Edinburg campus.

"The grant helped me each semester from beginning to end," said Garza, a junior majoring in criminal justice. "If I didn't get the TEXAS Grant, I would have to ask for loans. It really does help me get through the semester. By not having that extra money I would struggle a little more."

Garza, who has received TEXAS Grants every semester she has been at UTPA, said the University has increased her award amounts because she has kept up her grades. She started with a $2,700 award and last year she received $3,700.

Thanks to the TEXAS Grants, Tina Marroquin didn't have to fret over how she would pay for her first year of school in the 2010-2011 school year.

Marroquin, now a rising sophomore at UTPA who is majoring in nursing, received a TEXAS Grant for the Spring 2011 semester. If she had not received the grant she would have had to take out $2,000 in loans.

"It (the grant) covered most of my tuition," she said.

Marroquin, who relies on grants and scholarships to pay for her education, said she received a scholarship just for the Fall 2010 semester because she graduated from PSJA High School in the top 10 percent of her class. Were it not for the Texas Grant, she would have had to take out loans to pay for school.

Marroquin, who works at the Student Financial Services' Express Lab helping other students apply for financial aid, said she gives everyone the same advice:

"Try to apply for as many grants and scholarships as you can so you won't have to pay loans."

McAllen Recycling Mascot 'Paco' Hatches At City Meeting

A human-sized bird named Paco jumped out of a giant egg shell to laughter and applause at Monday's City Commission meeting, in McAllen.

Paco is the City's new recycling mascot, hatched by the Public Works department. Each letter in his name stands for items that could be recycled such as paper, aluminum, cardboard and other items. Though he can't speak or fly, Paco will accompany Public Works employees at schools, parades and other special events to increase awareness about Going Green.

Paco's brightly colored green and blue costume was designed to resemble a Green Jay, which happens to be the City of McAllen's official bird.

For more information about Paco, contact the City of McAllen's Recycling Department at (956) 681-4050.

View Paco's Facebook Photo Gallery

Independence Day Parade Entries Accepted through June 24

The City of McAllen Parks and Recreation Department is accepting entries for the 83rd Annual Independence Day Parade scheduled for Monday, July 4, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. Businesses, non-profit organizations, civic and youth groups are encouraged be a part of the festivities.

This year’s parade theme “American Adventures in the Great Outdoors” celebrates the unique natural heritage of the United States. All entries are required to be decorated in a patriotic fashion exhibiting this year’s parade theme.

A $40 entry fee applies for all business/commercial entries and a $10 late fee applies for all entries submitted after June 22. For more information call (956) 681-3333.

Parade Entry Application

McAllen Middle School Students Donate Pet Food

Cathey Students Donate Pet Food: Students at McAllen ISD’s Dr. Rodney D. Cathey Middle School held their fourth annual Pets are People Too Pet Food Drive this spring. The donations were taken to the Palm Valley Animal Center in McAllen. As an International Baccalaureate school, Cathey students learn about the importance of caring for the biotic and abiotic factors within the ecosystem, biome and biosphere in which they live. The Pet Drive organizer is science teacher Patty Luna.

IBC, HEB Kick Off 'Operation Care Drop' To Help Troops

IBC Bank has partnered with HEB and Operation Interdependence, the premier Civilian-to-Military delivery system in the Country, to help troops overseas.

McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez was among several community leaders present Tuesday as IBC and its sponsors kicked off Operation Care Drop.

In place since 2007, the program utilizes IBC branches across Texas and Oklahoma as drop-off stations for care package supplies from Memorial Day through July 4. Customers may purchase ready-made care packages at participating HEB stores where they can then be placed in the "Drop Zone" boxes located in participating IBC Banks and H-E-B stores.

A list of approved donation items is available here: Donations List

In addition to providing care packages, Operation Care Drop also supports through the collection of thoughtful letters written to soldiers overseas. Completed letters will accompany the goods collected and provide much needed encouragement to those fighting for our freedoms. Letters can be dropped off at any Drop Zone.

In 2010, Operation Care Drop provided more than 40,000 service men and women with more than 13 tons of goods and small comforts of home.