Harlingen, TX (KRGV) — Aviation maintenance students at Texas State Technical College can now take their final certification exams at the Harlingen campus.

TSTC says the change will help students cut travel and other costs. Up until now, students had to travel to Houston to complete their certification.

“So opening the exam here allows them not to go to Houston the day before and have to pay for a hotel. Right now, with gasoline, it's really expensive. I mean, I can only imagine how much they’re going to charge to go up there and back,” TSTC Program Team Lead Carlos Rodriguez said.

TSTC says it hopes the change will keep more trained aviation mechanics working in the Rio Grande Valley.