EWC offers grant opportunities for students

Eastern Wyoming College is pleased to share information on grant funding opportunities for students wishing to further their education.

The first grant opportunity is the TANF-FBI Grant (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Families Becoming Independent).  This grant provides funds for tuition, fees, books, and other required supplies for short-term training to those who qualify.  The grant also pays for fees related to testing and certification in the area of study.  Additionally the grant can assist with costs related to travel to a test location or to the classroom if the recipient lives in rural areas.

Qualifications for the TANF-FBI Grant include:  must be the financially responsible parent of at least one child (under the age of 18 years), must be a Wyoming resident, must live in the EWC service areas of Goshen, Platte, Niobrara, Weston, Converse or Crook counties, and must earn an income less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (according to the number of people in their home).

Application and TABE (a test which indicates the student’s skill level in language, reading and math) must be completed.  Proof of income is also required.  Recipients will also receive training in seeking employment and soft skills required by employers.

Current training programs include:  CNA, CNA II, MA-C, CDL, and Plate Welding.

The second grant opportunity is the TANF –CPI Grant (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Community Partnership Initiative).  This grant provides funds for tuition, fees, books, and other required supplies for long-term certificates and degrees to those who qualify.  The grant also pays for fees related to testing and certification in the area of study.

Qualifications for the TANF-CPI Grant include:  must be the financially responsible parent of at least one child (under the age of 18 years), must be a Wyoming resident, must live in Goshen County, must earn an income less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (according to the number of people in their home).

Application and TABE test must be completed.  Proof of income is also required.  Recipients will also receive training in seeking employment and soft skills required by employers.

Current training programs include:  CNA, CNA II, MA-C, CDL, Plate Welding, Pre-Nursing and Cosmetology.

Future training programs have been approved and include:  Barbering Technician, Nail Technician, Skin Technician, Hair Technician, Child Development Certificate, Business Administration, Welding and Joining Technology, and Veterinary Technology.  Funding for these programs will be available in October, 2017.

Both TANF grants are provided by the Department of Family Services with the ultimate goal of helping recipients obtain jobs and end their dependence on social and/or governmental benefits.

“The impact these grants have on the participants is truly amazing.  People with a desire to start a career and support their families have used this training as a spring board to a career ladder that will take them as far as they are willing to go,” said Linda Day, FBI Grant Coordinator.  “I expect success from the participants who went from being unemployed to earning $18.00 per hour.  Of course that is not true in every case, but on the average our participants earned up to 45% more after training and certification.  I hope more people will take advantage of these grants and the opportunities provided through quality training at EWC.”

Former student Stacy Hodder utilized the FBI grant program and completed CDL training.  “I learned about the grant opportunity through flyers from the college.  It provided me the opportunity to better myself and gave me more opportunities.  I would encourage others to apply for the grant even if you are not sure if you qualify.  Linda is great to work with and will help you find resources.”

For more information on either of these grant programs or to see if you qualify, please contact Linda Day, FBI Grant Coordinator at 307.532.8365 or by email at linda.day@ewc.wy.edu.

Comments are closed.