Workforce Education

Our Programs

While we’re always looking for new ways to fund students, we currently have five programs that provide financial assistance toward educational expenses.

All of our funding programs support students pursuing credits in one of the college’s professional and technical programs. While many of these credits can later be applied to a two-year degree for students who choose that goal, our funding only supports students who pursuing professional and technical studies. See our list of approved professional/technical programs.

Worker Retraining
The Worker Retaining program provides job training for unemployed workers, those facing imminent layoffs, displaced homemakers, and small business owners whose companies have closed due to a general economic decline in their industry or region. The program allocates funds on a quarterly basis to help pay for tuition, fees, and books.

WorkFirst
The WorkFirst program pays 100% of tuition, books, and fees for TANF parents who are currently receiving a cash grant from the Division of Social and Human Services (DSHS). To participate in the program, all parents must have approval from a DSHS caseworker.

FSET
FSET pays 100% of tuition, books, fees, and required supplies for adults who live in King County, receive food stamps, and who do not anticipate having their food stamp case closed prior to the start of the academic quarter. The FSET program is not available to any adult who receives TANF, since those adults are eligible for the WorkFirst program (above).

Low Income Working Parent
The Low Income Working Parent program provides the same academic award as WorkFirst—100% of tuition, books, and fees—to working parents whose income remains below 175% of the federal poverty level.

Opportunity Grant
Opportunity Grant funds tuition, fees, and up to $1000 for books (for full time students attending 45 credits or more within the academic year) for low-income students in specific, state-approved career paths. In the fall of 2007, those career paths included aviation, education, welding, and healthcare. Opportunity Grant is also available for undecided students who begin their studies in one of the four approved paths.