Central Georgia Technical College is the recipient of over $3.2 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The two separate awards are both the result of grants allocated under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Both grants took effect October 1 for the College’s 2015 fiscal year.

“The grants awarded to the College are vital in helping us achieve our mission of workforce development,” said Deborah Burks, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness. “These funds will help the College solidify partnerships with other educational entities to provide pathways to high-paying careers such as engineering and continue efforts toward improving teaching and learning.”

The larger of the two awards is a competitive PBI grant for just over $2.9 million. The grant funds will be disbursed over a five year period in amounts of over $500,000 each year through 2020.

CGTC will utilize the funds in partnership with the Bibb County School System and Fort Valley State University to aid in removing barriers, setting benchmarks, and improving student access to programs in Engineering Technology, which has been identified as a high-demand career field. Graduates of this STEM program can further their education or secure high-wage positions in industrial, electrical, and mechanical engineering. This grant will increase postsecondary access and affordability of the program, ultimately leading to higher entry and completion rates.
The second grant award of $332,919 was awarded in continuation of the PBI Formula grant award. These funds are used to increase the persistence rate and academic achievement levels of students of color enrolled in learning support courses. CGTC is one of 23 colleges in the nation to receive the PBI formula grant annually during the FY 2011-2016 grant award cycle.