For students whose textbooks cost more than $300 per semester, $125 goes a long way.
Junior Chandra Stellavato and her husband found extra money through a state-funded educational assistance program called HELP.
HELP, the Home Education Livelihood Program, gets state and federal grants to help students purchase textbooks each semester.
The program assisted 65 students from UNM this semester, according to HELP Regional Manager Peter Villa.
Villa said they will aid any student who meets the financial qualifications.
"It's for students who don't make a lot of money and don't get financial aid," he said.
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The program has helped 76 students total, including students from TVI and the University of Phoenix, giving each $125 for textbooks.
"If you don't have money to pay for books, it's really beneficial," Stellavato said.
She said she and her husband spent around $900 on books this semester combined.
"When I'm in school, I don't have time to work, so any money to help out is great," Stellavato said.
To meet the qualifications, students must show they are enrolled in school, have not received financial aid for textbooks, bring a price list of the books they need, and show their income level to be at 125 percent poverty. To do this, they need to bring in W2 forms or financial aid loans.
Evita Reardon, community specialist at HELP, said the qualifications are based on a poverty guideline.
According to 2003 federal poverty guidelines, 125 percent poverty level is yearly income below $11, 250.
"They need to bring in proof on how they're living," Villa said.
Stellavato said she had to take a test when she got there, although it had nothing to do with receiving the money.
The purpose of the test is to show the student their education level and employment skills, Reardon said.
Villa said he didn't turn anyone away, and there are still 11 spots available.
Stellavato said the program should advertise better.
She happened to find out about the program because her husband works at First State Bank where Villa has an account.
Advertisement has mostly been by word-of-mouth.
The Community Service Block Grant that funds the assistance program makes it possible for the program to do other things. HELP began running the grant in 2000, but the program has been around for 39 years.
Reardon said the goal of the program is supposed to make people become self-sufficient.
The program has other state and federal grants that pay people to get their GED or learn English.
HELP also has a job-assistance program. They provide people with up to $100 for uniforms or gas when they begin working.
Reardon said for incentive, they will pay people to go to school.
They also offer assistance with past-due utilities, mortgages and eyeglass prescriptions, all based on income level.
Students can call the HELP office at 265-3714.
