Anyone here use WIA to help cover tuition?

U.S.A. Tennessee

Published

I'm set to begin LPN school this fall and did receive some financial aid.:up:

I have a shortage that may be covered by WIA. Just curious to hear from anyone experienced with this program.

It is quite intense for such a small amount of FA. :down:

Specializes in ICU, Med-Surg, Post-op, Same-Day Surgery.

The WIA grant was the best kept "secret" in our nursing school! We applied through the TN Career Center. There was a cap on how much money we could get, but I'm not sure if it was because of our area (there are a LOT of nurses here). The money can go towards eligable tuition, fees, book, and even uniforms. You do have to take the TABE and I go through an orientation. However, they are not too difficult. After graduation I called my WIA case worker and updated her on my job, pay, etc. It was really that easy. I found out too late and was only able to use the grant money one year, but I really wish I had know because it would have reduced the amount of loans I had to take out.

Hi, does anyone know if you have to be accepted to a program before you can apply for WIA? I am trying to get into either a hospital lpn program or one at the tech school. I just wanted to know if I would be waisting my time to try and get the ball rolling on this.

Thanks!

Specializes in OR - Trauma/Transplant/Vascular/General.
Hi, does anyone know if you have to be accepted to a program before you can apply for WIA? I am trying to get into either a hospital lpn program or one at the tech school. I just wanted to know if I would be waisting my time to try and get the ball rolling on this.

Thanks!

You do have to be accepted into a program before you can apply for assistance. I did not have to test, nor has there been any mention of it, but other county programs I have heard of require it. I guess it just depends where you are located.

I'm so thankful for the program. Luckily, financial aid covers my tuition and books, but I will be getting assistance with childcare. They have also already sent me to pick out scrubs, shoes, stethoscope/bp cuff, I just signed for it, and they covered the cost. In addition, they've helped cover physical expense and background check. It is awesome. They do track your progress for 6 months after you graduate, it helps determine future funding. No big deal.

I am a WIA case manager in WI and can answer questions as well. It should be noted that you don't just "sign-up" for this program. Many areas have waiting lists based on priority of service requirements..meaning the more "needy" they see you the higher you are on the waiting list (requirements can vary from area to area depending on a local board's policies).

One thing I'd like to clarify is that WIA is a training and EMPLOYMENT program. The intent is that you have been looking for work first and are unable to find any with your current qualifications or that the jobs you can find are not "high wage" (varies by the area). You should be working with a case manager prior to training as we need to prove you completed initial steps before you enroll in training.

Does anyone know if you can qualify for WIA if you have a degree in another area? I haven't worked in 4 years because I got married and started having kids, and am unable to find a job in my field. Anyway I want to switch to nursing for the flexibility of the career and because I truly want to enter healthcare, but will WIA allow that. Thanks please provide any info

Does anyone know if you can qualify for WIA if you have a degree in another area? I haven't worked in 4 years because I got married and started having kids, and am unable to find a job in my field. Anyway I want to switch to nursing for the flexibility of the career and because I truly want to enter healthcare, but will WIA allow that. Thanks please provide any info

As I mentioned I am a WIA Case Manager in WI. Your best bet is to contact the program in your area. Things vary even within a state (there are regional areas that set the guidelines) so to get the most accurate answer I'd make a call.

Most of the time WIA will not assist with a second degree in our area. However if you can prove you been actively looking for work and there really is nothing in your field (or it is very low wage) you may be able to get assistance from WIA. It may be at your case manager's discretion however so it's to your best advantage to supply them with anything they request to prove that you need the nursing degree to reach "self-sustainability". For example if you are currently on any kind of public assistance (no matter how small) and being a nurse would allow you to go off that public assistance that might help. If your spouse has been laid off (or had hours reduced) and that is why you are looking at going to back to work that might help your case as well.

Like I said make a call and see what your area allows!

How do u apply for WIA in TN?

You do have to be accepted into a program before you can apply for assistance. I did not have to test, nor has there been any mention of it, but other county programs I have heard of require it. I guess it just depends where you are located.

I'm so thankful for the program. Luckily, financial aid covers my tuition and books, but I will be getting assistance with childcare. They have also already sent me to pick out scrubs, shoes, stethoscope/bp cuff, I just signed for it, and they covered the cost. In addition, they've helped cover physical expense and background check. It is awesome. They do track your progress for 6 months after you graduate, it helps determine future funding. No big deal.

I thought they don't cover childcare anymore, can you give more info on that?

I live in Houston and currently in a ADN program, I get WIC and NCI (the daycare worksource grant to help me pay for daycare). I had the NCI way before I started the ADN program, and that's income based and # of family members, then they tell you how much you pay, also the parents (single/married) need to be either looking for a job (showing proof) or working/inschool for 30-40hr/week (with proof to show for).

As for the WIC, i'm in my second year and just got this. My first year I did apply for it and I got the "run-around" to put it nicely. I was told that since I recieved the pell grant and both my husband and I worked, I didn't need the WIC, even though I qualified income wise for a family of 5. My friend that works for the worksource, later told me that information was wrong and I needed to speak to the Manager. The reason being, even though I did get the Pell grant, both my husband and I worked, I needed the WIC to help me pay for other school expenses, that I would otherwise would my money to pay for, when I could use that money for gas, bills, etc. Basically, I needed to show financial-need for it.

So, my advise: use your words correctly when applying for the WIC. In my case, even though I worked PT, husband FT and I got the Pell grant = nursing school is expensive, with needing scrubs, books, equipment, etc! And I live paycheck-to-paycheck, I could use the help! So it's been great now. The WIC pays my tutition, books, whatever and so I get the complete pell grant to help compensate what I would bring home if I did work FT to help out with bills.

Hi pinky, can u tell me what is WIC and how do i apply for it. I am an alternate for kingwood my score is 11.4 and I'm frustrated. :crying2: Just gotta keep the faith. I am waiting for that call to come.

Hey Girly26,

Good luck, I really hope you get in. I was an alternate at North Harris as well and I was #37 on the list, and I got in! So, it happens. WIC is something you can apply at the Worksource, but you need to get accepted to the nursing program first, they'll want a letter of aceptance to help you.

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