How Californians can get free money for job training — for yourself or someone you help

To help alleviate financial hardship caused by Covid-19 pandemicthe federal government has sent billions of dollars to the states to health care, unemployment benefits, network connections and many other services.

California has gotten so much, it’s had a hard time using it all. A case in point is the roughly $500 million it received to help cover training costs faced by people who lost their jobs during the pandemic. Two years after the grant program began, less than 5% of the funds were awarded to grantees.

The Foundation for California Community Colleges and the California Student Aid Commission announced a new effort Wednesday to get grants into the hands of more students. Part of the effort is to provide grants of $1,000 or more to student “ambassadors” who help other students apply for vocational training funds. Larger amounts will be made available to community groups that can connect pandemic-affected workers with training grants.

Below are details of grants and grants.

Who is eligible for the vocational training allowance?

Golden State Education and Training Grant The program targets low- and moderate-income people who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. To be eligible, you must:

• Enroll in an area Adult Education Program K12undergraduate, graduate or one of more than 110 community colleges and approved training programs. However, you will not be eligible if you were registered at the time you lost your job.
• Prove that you cannot find a job with the same or higher salary as your pre-pandemic job.
• Earn less per year than income limit set by the stateranges from $42,800 for a person without dependents to $135,000 for someone with six or more dependents.
• Have less than $90,400 in family assets if you depend on someone else or if you have dependents other than a spouse. If you are independent and have no dependents of your own, the limit is $43,000.

If you meet all of these criteria, you will be eligible for a one-time grant that will be paid directly to the school or training program to which you enroll. This grant is roughly enough to cover in-state tuition for an associate’s degree at a community college, which requires 60 units at $46 each. (This grant can be used for fees and other purposes related to education, not just tuition.)

To apply, Sign up for an account at the California Student Aid Commission website, or if you are already registered, log in and fill out the online application form.

students have to face thousands of dollars in other expenses, including tuition, books, food, housing and transportation. But yes Other aid programs available to make degree programs and training more affordable for low- and middle-income students, whether they are citizens or undocumented students. That includes the state Promising Sponsorship ProgramFree community college tuition for low-income Californians.

Sufficient funds remain in the program to support over 150,000 grants. And with so little money spent on training funding, Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposed Budget calls for extending the program until June 2027.

Who can be the ambassador?

The organization for California Community Colleges has asked students to help disseminate information about financial aid, CalFresh, and other support services. Now, they are looking for ambassadors to promote the $2,500 training grant among their colleagues and within their community, in hopes of raising more money.

According to the committee, student ambassadors must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in at least one unit during both the spring and fall semesters at a state community college, California State University, or University campus. study California. If accepted, they will receive training on the grant program, eligibility requirements, and application process. They will also be provided with wireless devices to help the students they recruit fill out applications.

These ambassadors will go out into the community from May to September, spending 10 to 12 hours per month and earning a $1,000 stipend. Those who continue through the fall and spring semesters will earn an additional $2,000.

To apply, you will have to Fill out an online application form Ask a few questions regarding your ability to recruit grant applicants, including what “techniques and strategies” you will use and what related work or volunteer experience you may have. you had. If selected, you will have to attend two virtual training sessions in May and one in person in June.

The Foundation encourages interested students to apply by April 28, with ambassadors selected in early May. For more information, send an email to EdTraining@foundationccc.org.

What about community groups, nonprofits, and other organizations?

The organization is also seeking help from influential community groups that have “well-established outreach networks.” For student ambassadors, the aim is to promote training grants for people whose work has been derailed by COVID-19.

Organizations interested in becoming an “Education and Training Network Activation Partner” should Fill out this form online to let the foundation know what communities they serve, how many people they usually reach, and how they can be reached. they can too Register for a virtual information session on April 18 from 11:00 am to noon.

According to the organization, “Network Enablement Partners can range from large multi-site organizations like the United Ways of California, to smaller city food banks and local resource centers. the other way.” Participating organizations will receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000, the organization said.