Published March 31, 2009
Written by Grace Chen
As individuals across the country struggle to cope with layoffs in a dwindling economy, many workers are finding that their once-desirable resume is no longer up to par in the fiercely competitive job market.
As a result, many states are offering laid off workers free community college tuition! Specifically, states such as Kentucky, Oregon, and Michigan are all seeking to stimulate their community’s knowledge and job application appeal by providing free classes and affordable tuition to workers in need. Depending on each school’s programs, laid off employees can either benefit from completely free tuition or significant tuition discounts.
Kentucky Community Colleges
According to reports from The Business Courier, Kentucky Community College (KCC) and Kentucky Community Technical College System are offering extra tuition support to Kentucky residents who have recently encountered job loss.
Set into motion with the support of Governor Steve Beshear, Kentucky community schools now offer a “Career Transitions Program,” where newly laid-off students are provided with a 50 percent tuition reduction for up to 6 credit hours each semester. Providing this incredible discount at 16 various Kentucky community colleges, students who have been laid off can utilize this discount for a full year of education or training. Additionally, this program is also designed to help provide newly laid-off individuals with personal support to navigate the process for financial aid or student loans.
The main goal of this program is to provide high quality, low cost and convenient education and training to individuals who are struggling to find new employment. With the free or reduced community college opportunities, employees can receive the knowledge and skills to become competitive in their field of interest. Best of all, any Kentucky residents who have filed for / received unemployment benefits since the 1st of October (2008) are eligible to apply.
Oregon Community Colleges
In addition to Kentucky, The Seattle Times reveals how Oregon is another state offering tuition support to laid-off workers in the community. By enrolling at the Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) or Klamath Community College (KCC), students who were laid off prior to October 1st can take completely free classes during the spring semester. If space is available, both colleges agree to support unemployed individuals with an array of opportunities and programs. Although students enrolled in the tuition support program must pay for additional school costs, such as books, parking, and other smaller fees, the larger cost of school (tuition) is covered at the expense of the school. As the OIT president, Chris Maples, asserts, “We all know higher education can open doors, so this is our chance to help our fellow Oregonians in these tough times.”
Depending on the school, students can take advantage of unique opportunities. Specifically, by attending KCC, students who have lost their full or part time jobs, including seasonal employment, are able to register for free spring courses. Here, students must take three core classes, a business course, and a psychology course, while accepted students will also need to receive tutoring, career services, and academic planning support sessions. Unlike KCC, OIT only provides free tuition opportunities for individuals who have lost their full time employment position.
Michigan Community Colleges
Finally, as Up North Live reports, Mott Community College (MCC), located in Flint, Michigan, will also provide laid off workers with special tuition support programs. As Michigan is one of the most economically devastated states in our nation’s tough economy, state leaders have created a “No Worker Left Behind” program.
With this initiative, the state promises to boost the employment rates of the entire Michigan population, while supporting unemployed workers with various resources and assistance programs. Specifically, as one State Representative revealed, the recent No Worker Left Behind program was provided with $150,000 towards tuition assistance for adult training programs. This funding will help pay for classes not only at MCC, but additional local community schools as well, including adult-only high schools. With this No Worker Left Behind initiative, individuals who are eligible can attend community college with absolutely no tuition costs for up to two years. Eligible Michigan residents should be able to boost their skills, knowledge, and resume to gain employment in the near future.
Hopefully, more community colleges will join the bandwagon to provide unemployed individuals with free or affordable access to training and education programs that shall help them rejoin the workforce once again.
Resources:
Business Courier, “Kentucky Community Colleges to Help Laid Off Workers,” available at http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/03/23/daily31.html
Up North Live, “MCC Gets Funding in No Worker Left Behind,” available at http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=278265
The Seattle Times, “Oregon Tech, KCC Offer Free Tuition,” available at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2008919453_apfreetuition.html
Read Related Affording College Articles:
- Affording Community College
Learn about the different financial options you have for affording community college. - Save $80K by First Attending Community College
Learn how you can save over $80,000 by first attending community college then transferring to a private institution. - Community College Grants
What are college grants? Learn how they work and how you might obtain them for your college education. - Community College Loans
Learn how college learns work and how you can use them to finance your education. - Stafford Loans for Community College Students
Learn more about how Stafford loans help make community college affordable for families. - Direct Loans: Another Option for Financing Community College
Learn how you can finance community college through direct loans. - Community College Scholarships
Learn how scholarships work and how they can help pay for your community college education. - Single Parents Find Special Financial Support at Community Colleges
Learn about the financial, childcare, and academic support that community colleges offer single parents and low-income families. - How Financial Aid Under President Obama Will Impact You
Learn about President Obama's budget proposals, entitled "A New Era of Responsibility," and the provisions outlined that will help community college students access affordable education. - Federal Work Study Programs: Pros and Cons for Community College Students
Learn about the benefits of a work study program for community college students. - How Will the New GI Bill Impact Your Community College Enrollment Options?
Learn about how the revisions within the GI Bill impact the academic benefits for veterans who served America on or after the 9/11 attacks. - The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007
Learn more about The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 ("CCRAA" or the "Act"), which was enacted to make college more affordable for low- and moderate-income students by phasing in increases in government grants. - Does Your Community College Offer Support in a Time of Crisis?
In a time of economic uncertainty, more community colleges have begun to offer reduced or free tuition. Learn about the national movement and proposed legislation that may make all community colleges tuition-free for the unemployed. - Will Community Colleges Become Tuition-Free?
Learn about movements around the country to make community college courses tuition-free for qualifying students. - Why Congress Has Eliminated Community College Support for Convicted Criminals
Learn about how some convicted criminals abused community colleges' financial aid programs and why Congress has decided to prohibit criminals from being eligible for future aid. - International Students Enjoy Free Tuition at US Community Colleges
Learn about the opportunities available for international students to pursue tuition-free education through American community colleges. - Will Community College Tuition Increases Outpace Inflation Rates?
Learn about how the community college tuition hikes in the next year may be greater than the rate of inflation. - Planning for Student Loans amidst Financial Slow-Downs
Learn how you can find financial aid and support in spite of troubled economic times - Potential Reforms Impacting Your Community College Tuition Funding
Learn about future financial aid revisions and changes that may influence your community college tuition funding. - Are California Community Colleges at Risk of Serious Budget Cuts?
Learn about how California's budget woes may impact the future of the Cal Grant and the state's community colleges. - How to Earn Extra Discounts As a Community College Student
Are you taking full advantage of your status as a student? Learn where you can show your student ID to take advantage of discounts that add up to hundreds, if not thousands, annually in savings.
All Categories:
Featured Partners:
