FORT PIERCE - The St. Lucie County Community Services Department is offering college tuition support for eligible applicants. As a part of the Community Services Block Grant and the Treasure Coast Community Action Agency (TCCAA), county residents who meet the poverty income guidelines and are not eligible for financial aid may be able to receive support in obtaining a secondary degree or certificate. This education must result in the opportunity to find employment at a living wage and become self sufficient.

Many times students are on financial aid probation and have to pay for one or two classes. This may be due to previously failed classes or withdrawing from a course because of family emergencies or other crisis situations. Our program may be able assist with some of the costs to overcome this hurdle to post secondary education. The TCCAA program can assist anyone who is 125 percent of the poverty level or less (see chart below) and demonstrates that they can maintain their basic needs while in school. Case managers can also assist in developing plans to ensure success, such as childcare, transportation, etc.

The mission of Community Services Department is to assist the residents of St. Lucie County toward self-sufficiency by partnering with other organizations, the private sector and citizens to offer programs and services that build self-reliant individuals, families and communities. CSBG funds are designed to provide a range of services to assist low-income residents in attaining the skills, knowledge and the motivation necessary to achieve self sufficiency.

For more information on this program, please call St. Lucie County Community Services at (772) 462-1777.

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