July 30, 2009
Parents: Go to College with Your Kids!
Education Grant Opportunity from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development

GEO Families:  The following grant is for 18 year olds and higher – so YOU now have the possibility of attending college with your children! Wouldn’t it be cool if our students could take classes at Ivy Tech with their parents?  Read on for more about this amazing opportunity!

INDIANAPOLIS (July 30, 2009) – The Indiana Department of Workforce Development and Indiana Commission for Higher Education today announced a new program to help Hoosiers pay the tuition of a two-year college program, books and fees. The program, called the Workforce Acceleration Grant, uses federal stimulus funds to pay up to $3,000 per year for a student's expected family contribution, unfunded tuition costs, books and fees in an associate degree or vocational training program.

"In the past many students would be faced with thousands of dollars in unpaid tuition bills, even after Pell, SSACI and other scholarships," said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. "Governor Daniels insisted Indiana make the best possible use of these one-time funds and nothing compares to helping Hoosiers acquire the college education or training they need to excel in the 21st Century workplace."

Workforce Acceleration Grant recipients can pursue areas of study at more than 50 colleges and universities in Indiana that provide occupational training leading toward an associate degree or certificate program. General studies, liberal arts, baccalaureate and graduate programs are not covered. A complete list of eligible schools can be found at www.IN.gov/dwd.

"Economic realities have placed a strain on many Hoosiers in need of a college degree at a time when higher education has never been more essential to our personal and collective prosperity. The Workforce Acceleration Grant offers welcome relief just when many of these individuals need it the most," said Teresa Lubbers, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education.

Workforce Acceleration Grants are open to Hoosiers, aged 18 or older, who have a legal right to work in the US, AND meet one of the two below criteria:

• Low-Income participant:
  Family receives federal, state, or local public assistance; or
  Total family income at or below federal poverty level ($23,239 for family of four)
  
  
• Unemployed Worker:
  Unemployed through no fault of their own; or Received notice of impending layoff; or Spouse of dislocated worker (earning less than 50% of family income); or Self-employed, but business closed as a result of economic conditions.
  

Hoosiers interested in applying for a Workforce Acceleration Grant should visit their local WorkOne Center to determine their eligibility. Approximately 9,000 current students may qualify for a Workforce Acceleration Grant. Hoosiers can find their nearest WorkOne Center by visiting www.WorkOneWorks.com.

The State will receive federal stimulus funds totaling approximately $31 million through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to provide the Workforce Acceleration Grants.