Workforce Funding

The Worker Retraining Program may be able to help you retrain for a new job or career in a professional/technical program.

Are you collecting unemployment? Are you working in a job that is “not in demand”? Are you a veteran?

Eligibility

You may be eligible for Worker Retraining support due to any of the following reasons:

• Eligible to receive, or receiving, unemployment benefits.
• Received unemployment benefits within the past four years.
• Formerly self-employed and currently unemployed due to general economic conditions within the past four years.
• Unemployed Veteran discharged within the past four years.
• Unemployed or under employed after having been dependent on another family member’s income, but no longer supported by that income due to separation, divorce, death, or permanent disability of the main wage-earner within the past four years.
• Active Duty Military, with separation papers up to 18 months in the future
• Vulnerable Worker? Meet two of three criteria listed below.
  • Currently working in a Not in Demand job.
  • Do not have 45 college credits.
  • Must upgrade your skills to remain employed in your current job.

Services

• Tuition assistance, books, and fees
• Child care
• Tools
• Educational advising and planning
• Job search assistance
• Assistance in locating additional funding for training
• Liaison to other agencies, programs and fund sources
• Assistance with Employment Security Department’s Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) and Training Benefits (TB) applications
• May assist with basic skills, as in earning your GED or HS21 while simultaneously enrolled in a program of study

Getting Started

1. Complete a quick Start Next Quarter survey to see if you pre-qualify or attend a weekly Worker Retraining workshop to find out which programs you are currently eligible to enroll in.
2. Schedule a one-on-one appointment with staff.
3. Complete a federal financial aid application - FAFSA (required).

 

Contact

Joanie Meister
Transitional Services Building, Room 101
360-623-8496
Email Joanie Meister

The BFET program is a partnership between Centralia College and the Department of Social Health Services (DSHS). Eligible individuals must currently be receiving or are qualified to receive basic food assistance. The BFET program assists with education and skills training.

On a fund available basis the BFET program assists food stamp eligible students with tuition and/or book assistance and may assist with childcare referrals with Working Connections (DSHS).

Eligibility Guidelines

• You must be currently receiving DSHS Basic Food Assistance (federal)
• You cannot be receiving DSHS TANF cash assistance (see WorkFirst for more information about funding for education)
• You must be enrolled in a professional/technical program or in ESL, ABE, or GED program courses (transfer programs are not eligible)

Types of Assistance

• Tuition and fees
• Textbooks
• Testing fees
• May assist with some required class supplies

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Contact

Brooke Merchant Transitional Services Building, Room 101 360-623-8499 Email Brooke Merchant

Margaret Friedley Transitional Services Building, Room 101 360-623-8410 Email Margret Friedley

The WorkFirst program may provide support and financial assistance to students receiving a Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) grant from DSHS. Students must be referred by their DSHS case manager.

Approved programs include:

• High School Diploma
• GED
• Basic Skills
• English Language Acquisition (ELA)
• All professional-technical programs
• Continuing Education courses that are job-related

To get started contact your DSHS case manager or the WorkFirst office at Centralia College (TSB 101).

Contact

Margaret Friedley Transitional Services Building, Room 101 360-623-8410 Email Margret Friedley

Michelle Aguirre Transitional Services Building, Room 101 360-623-8441 Email Michelle Aguirre

 

WorkFirst Financial Aid

Eligible students may qualify for financial assistance towards tuition, fees and books (contingent on the availability of funding).

To apply for federal financial aid, submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

WorkFirst Work Study

WorkFirst work study provides employment opportunities while attending school and may be available to eligible WorkFirst students (contingent upon funding).  Positions are available on and off campus and, whenever possible, should be related to the student’s area of study.

CONTACT

Lisa Welch
Transitional Services Building, Room 101
360-623-8649
Email Lisa Welch

The Opportunity Grant program is intended to assist low-income students enroll in college for training in high-wage, high-demand career pathways.  All pathways approved under the Opportunity Grant program provide a minimum beginning wage of $13.00 per hour.  Students who qualify for the Opportunity Grant program may be eligible to receive assistance with tuition, fees, books, and some supplies.  The grant may pay for up to a total of 45 credits over a period of three years.

General Eligibility Guidelines

In order to qualify for an Opportunity Grant, students must be pursuing an approved pathway, be a Washington State resident, meet the income guidelines, have a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) filed that establishes financial need, and provide a letter of recommendation at time of intake.

Approved Pathways

• Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Healthcare
• Pre-Nursing
• Accounting
• Business Office Careers
• Corrections/Criminal Justice
• Diesel Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Electronics
• Energy Technology
• Medical Careers
• Welding

Income Guidelines for 2024-25

Listed below are the income guidelines to be used for the Opportunity Grant for the 2024-25 academic year effective March. These are calculated at 200 percent of the federal poverty levels.

Size of Family Unit	Annual Gross Income Cut-off Amounts	Monthly Gross Income Cut-off Amounts
1	$30,120	$2,510
2	$40,880	$3,406.67
3	$51,640	$4,303.33
4	$62,400	$5,200
For each additional person, add	$10,760	$896.67

 

Contact

Lisa Welch
Transitional Services Building, Room 101
360-623-8649
Email Lisa Welch

The Early Achievers Grant is funded by the state Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and provides job training funds to individuals who work in Early Achievers childcare facilities. In Washington, early learning professionals who want to further their education have a clear path of stackable certificates and degrees.  Those courses are available at Centralia College and may be paid for by Early Achievers Grants.

Who is eligible for an Early Achievers Grant?

You must meet the following criteria:

1. You must be currently employed at an Early Achievers childcare site
2. You must be working a minimum of 10 hours per week or 40 hours per month.
3. You must have been employed for at least 3 months prior to applying for EAG funding.
4. You must be working in one of the following roles:
   1. Assistant Teacher
   2. Lead Teacher
   3. Program Supervisor
   4. Assistant Director
   5. Center Director
   6. Family Homeowner/Licensee
5. You must be working toward one of the following certificates: 
   1. Early Childhood Education (ECE) Initial Certificate (12 credits)
   2. ECE Short State Certificate (20 credits)
   3. ECE State Certificate (52 credits)

Note: You MUST complete a certificate program BEFORE moving on to a two-year associate degree.

What does the Early Achievers Grant provide?

• Financial help with tuition, fees and books for up to 97 credits (limitations apply)
• Screening for other grants to maximize funding resources
• Academic advising with an Early Childhood Education advisor/instructor
• Support in completing the FAFSA and navigating the college campus and processes
• Help tracking your certificate or degree progress
• Access to a study area in Transitional Services Building room 103
• Assistance finding additional resources on or off campus

What is required to participate?

All students participating in the Early Achiever's Grant program must: 

• Complete a yearly FAFSA application 
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (a 2.0 GPA or higher)
• Follow Centralia College financial aid processes and guidelines including:
• Special Conditions applications (if necessary)
• Financial Aid appeals
• Regularly attend classes
• Immediately communicate any class or program changes to the grant program contact at Centralia College
• Complete monthly check-ins via Canvas and quarterly in-person check-ins with the grant program contact at Centralia College

Contact

Tabitha Burkhardt
Transitional Services Building Room 101
360-623-8177
Email Tabitha Burkhardt