AUSTIN, Texas — Affordability is a growing issue in Austin, but one nonprofit is pulling families out of poverty by paying for associate degrees for low-income adults. It's also lining them up with careers that actually pay a living wage.
Capital IDEA said it's mission is to close equity gaps for Central Texans.
"We pay tuition, books and fees," Deputy Executive Director Eva Rios-Lleverino said. "We assist with some childcare assistance emergency assistance like transportation or mortgage rent assistance."
Rios-Lleverino said the nonprofit's secret is having career navigators that stick with the clients from enrollment to actually landing a job in healthcare, tech, or trade.
Michael Rayos said that made the daunting process attainable.
"Me and my family no longer receive federal assistance," Rayos said. "So that's been pretty exciting. November 2016 was the last year we needed food stamps.
Rayos is from Austin and could barely afford to live in his hometown. He was a single parent with three children working multiple retail jobs, but now he is a cloud security engineer with a degree in network administration.
"My move from my last company and current company, they doubled my salary," Rayos said. "So it's been, It's been pretty amazing."
Rios-Lleverino said you don't have to be college-ready to apply.
"So those who need to be able to learn English or even get some developmental education, we are starting with those individuals," Rios-Lleverino said.
According to Capital IDEA, it has placed more than 2,000 adults into new careers. While the program isn’t strictly for minorities, 80% of the student body is students of color. Capital IDEA said it is working to close the DEI gaps in health care and tech by getting more Black and Latino students in those industries.
"It's definitely worth it," Rayos said about returning to school, even though he said it's not easy.
He said in the end, you're not just changing your life, but generations to come.
Here's what you need to qualify for Capital IDEA's program:
- You are 18 years or older. There is no maximum age limit
- You have a GED or high school diploma
- You have not completed a college degree, associate degree, or higher
- You are a resident of Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, or Caldwell County. (Caldwell residents can apply through 9/30/2024.).
- You qualify for in-state tuition because you've lived in Texas for more than 12 months
- You are a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- You meet our income-based qualification