MUSCLE SHOALS — Northwest-Shoals Community College has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help underserved students, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) announced.

The $950,000 award will fund an Advocacy and Resource Center at the college, Aderholt said.

“I am pleased to announce that Northwest-Shoals Community College will be receiving a grant in the amount of $950,000 for the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) project aimed at assisting underserved students in North Alabama,” Aderholt said. “As a member of Congress and a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I strongly believe and encourage these types of investments into our education system that will serve the area for decades to come.”

The center will support 300 students on the Phil Campbell and Shoals campuses with basic resources. Services include a food pantry, mentoring and life coaching, professional counseling and referrals, assistance with housing and utility services, transportation assistance, aid with child-care services, and access to technology and help with course software.

“The importance of this Basic Needs Grant awarded to Northwest-Shoals Community College by the USDOE for the individuals that it will serve cannot be overstated,” said Northwest-Shoals President Jeff Goodwin. “It will not only impact those directly served by the grant but their families and communities as well by removing barriers associated with the issues of poverty and mental health and providing opportunities to enter the workforce with the skills essential to succeed.”

The grant is funded through DOE’s Basic Needs Program aimed at supporting student success. 

Northwest-Shoals Community College is home to more than 4,000 students and offers more than 100 certificate and degree programs.

Spring semester classes begin Jan. 12. For registration/information, visit nwscc.edu.