Published: 02-14-08
Commends UNCF’s Efforts to Support College Education
SAN ANTONIO – Gov. Rick Perry today gave the keynote speech for the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) South Texas Governor’s Luncheon. The UNCF provides financial support to small higher education institutions throughout the country to help keep the cost of education feasible for underserved populations. The event marked the governor’s second partnership with UNCF. Last September the governor spoke at UNCF’s Dallas/Ft. Worth event which raised more than $185000 for partner schools.
“As governor it is my mission each and every day to build a Texas that welcomes all and includes all; that recognizes the hopes and aspirations of all of our citizens; and that empowers each and every citizen to dream dare and achieve” said Gov. Perry. “I believe that an educated Texan is an unlimited Texan. I want Texas children to know this simple truth: We don’t care where you come from; we care where you are going.”
By providing financial support to smaller colleges UNCF helps increase minority degree attainment by lessening the cost of college. This year’s San Antonio luncheon hopes to exceed Dallas’ record by raising $200000. The net proceeds from this event will help support UNCF’s member institutions including five Texas colleges: Paul Quinn College in Dallas; Texas College in Tyler; Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins; Wiley College in Marshall and Huston-Tillotson University in Austin.
UNCF administers more than 300 programs including scholarship internship and fellowship programs mentoring summer enrichment and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today UNCF supports more than 65000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. Approximately 4500 Texans attend UNCF schools.
The 80th Legislative Session provided a significant boost to Texas’ financial aid programs by allocating $747 million in funding for deserving students an increase of 24 percent from last biennium. This includes an increase of $96.2 million for Texas Grants $39.4 million for B-on-Time $5 million for Texas College Work Study and $5 million for the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant. Together this will help 16000 more students afford college than in years past.
