Graduate Finds Success Through TAMIU’s Closer Than Ever Initiative
A year ago, Ashton Laurel didn’t know if he’d ever have an opportunity to complete his degree.
After finishing his junior year, Laurel decided to take a year off from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in order to raise funds to finance his final year.
While he remained only 30 semester credit hours away from graduating with his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, finding the funds to cover his final semester proved daunting.
Unaware of just how close he was to completing his degree, Laurel received a call from TAMIU’s Office of the University Registrar and learned about the “Closer Than Ever” initiative.
“After my junior year, I wasn’t sure how I was going to come back to TAMIU and finish my degree. Thanks to TAMIU, they helped me finish everything in less than a year,” said Laurel.
Launched August 2018, the initiative aims to help former students who have made substantial progress on their degree, but delayed completion for various reasons.
Since its initial launch, the “Closer than Ever” initiative has helped 65 individuals graduate and complete their degrees of the 134 students that have re-enrolled.
Laurel decided to continue his studies and was even offered financial assistance to pay for his courses. At first, Laurel only thought the projected assistance would cover part of his studies. Thanks to scholarships and grants awarded through the University, Laurel was able to complete his senior year without the undue burden of student loans, graduating with his degree this past Spring 2019.
Through the “Closer than Ever” option, the University awarded about $850,000 in assistance to qualifying students.
“If you’re in the same situation I was in, whether you’re not sure whether to come back or how you’re going to come back – talk to the people at TAMIU. They’ll figure things out because the education that you get here is beyond priceless,” said Laurel.
Students who are interested in taking the first steps toward completing their degree can learn more by visiting http://www.tamiu.edu/closerthanever/
Fall registration information is available from the TAMIU Office of the Registrar at 956.326.2250, by email at registrar@tamiu.edu, or by visiting offices in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, 121.
For more information, call the University’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or click on tamiu.edu.
University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
For more of the University’s story, visit tamiu.edu or its social media sites on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
