Pima Community College a step closer to obtaining proper accreditation for its Aviation Technology Center.
A review committee of the Higher Learning Commission, PCCβs primary accreditor, has recommended approval of the aviation program site at Tucson International Airport.
The commission will vote on the recommendation in late June, the college announced Friday.
PCC is seeking accreditation for the site after discovering early this year that previous school officials failed to do so.
Aviation students recently were cut off from financial aid as a result of the mixup, since aid can only be dispensed legally to students in properly accredited programs.
The review committeeβs approval means aviation classes can continue at the airport site while the matter is sorted out, a PCC news release said Friday.
The situation initially caused panic among aviation students whose aid was frozen on short notice.
Theyβre now being told the college will cover their summer tuition and any additional expenses that would have been covered by the aid they were expecting.
PCC intends to use leftover scholarship funds and private donations to help students, though the exact amount needed isnβt yet known, college spokeswoman Libby Howell said.
Summer classes start Monday for aviation students, and college advisers will be on hand to help those affected, a memo to students said.
PCC expects to have the situation resolved, and financial aid fully restored, by the start of fall semester.
