Federal and state stimulus dollars will be the basis for a new round of tuition assistance for college coursework or training programs at Lorain County Community College, the Lorain County JVS and The Employment netWork.

The new tuition assistance is available to laid off workers. The tuition assistance, which can be in a variety of financial aid forms, will cover courses or training programs now through June of 2010 at LCCC and its outreach centers in Elyria, Lorain and Wellington as well as through the Lorain County JVS or The Employment netWork.

“These financial aid opportunities will give those in the community a chance to get the education or training they need to rebound from a layoff, or prepare themselves to re-enter the job market for the new generation of jobs in high growth fields,” said Diana Mishlan of The Employment netWork.

To explain the different types of tuition assistance now available through the stimulus dollars to laid off workers, free information sessions will be held on these dates:

• 9-11 a.m., Tuesday, July 14
  At the Lorain County JVS
• 1:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 14
  At The Employment network
• 9-11 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.,
  Wednesday, July 15
  At the Lorain County Community College
  Spitzer Conference Center

Representatives from LCCC’s Enrollment Services, Financial Services and Employment and Career Services as well as representatives from the Lorain County JVS and The Employment netWork will all be available at these information sessions.

“We can connect people to all the funding resources, community and student services available to them at LCCC, the Lorain County JVS and The Employment netWork,” said Chris Fletcher, director of the Adult Career Center at LCJVS. “These stimulus dollars will make college and training accessible to many who need it the most.”

Other tuition assistance like little known funds that are designated by federal, state and local initiatives to assist individuals will also be identified to help pay for courses.

Courses that can be taken include:

• Short-term training in specific job skills and occupation
• Continuing education courses
• Job search/training workshops
• College credit certificate and degree programs like LCCC’s new associates degree in Alternative Energy Technology and the LCJVS’ Welding/Fabricating program.

There are many flexible eight and 10-week course options as well as online courses that are available for students to enroll in as well as intense cohort training modules. Those who aren’t seeking a degree may be interested in training and certifications through programs like Transformations, or IT FastTrack – which provide certifications in different information technology skills – or a short-term certificate program in a health career like State Tested Nursing Aide (STNA).  These programs may also qualify for tuition assistance programs.

“Utilizing these stimulus dollars for tuition assistance is an excellent opportunity for people to begin their education, upgrade their skills and get connected to all of the services available for them to become more marketable in the job market,” said Marcia Jones, LCCC career services manager.

This program is a continuation with major enhancements of the successful “Make Your Lay Off Pay Off” tuition assistance program that provided financial help for those who were laid off, said Stephanie Sutton, director of LCCC’s Financial Services Center.

Those interested should attend one of the information sessions which will allow time to complete program applications, get assistance with the Federal Application for Student Aid form, and schedule career counseling.  Students will follow regular admitting procedures and may need to take a placement assessment, depending on the training program selected.

For more information, or to reserve a seat at one of the information sessions, call 440-284-4224 or visit www.lorainccc.edu/training.