Financial Aid....WIA contacts

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I don't remember which thread I saw it on, but there was recently a discussion about WIA contacts. I found a listing of all the contacts from different states. I'm sure it will be helpful to someone.

http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/statecon.cfm

I still haven't received an email back so I am going to call today and try to set up an appointment to get the ball rolling. That's probably the best bet.

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Is this more of a need based program? For people with a low EFC?

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I emailed the person from Ks and he sent my info on to the person that covers it in my part of the state. I haven't heard anything back, but thank you so much for posting that link:)

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ANY one who is interested no matter if you think you wont qualify for it PLEASE ask the state contact for more info about the requirements Dont listen to anyone elses circumstances Go ahead and check into it no matter what state you are in ...it varies state to state , and can even vary county to county ,and there are like three different types of WIA prorgams! I just found this out from my counselor today because someone here on allnurses mentioned that is their state you cant get WIA if you get the PELL grant...well I was worried to death because I do get te PELL and 2 other grants as well ....so I e mailed my contact and she said there are three different types of WIA and to never go by what someone else says even if they are in your state or county because which WIA you quailfy for depends on your personal circumstances~

And here in KY if you are going into the medical field it pays for 1 year of pre-reqs AND a 2 year program, the catch is you have to apply to at least 2 programs to up your chance of getting accepted. You can also work in any field or not work at all but there is an income limitation...it is VERY reasonable though for a family of 6 you are disqualified if you can find a job that pays 50K a year...which is next to impossible without a college degree! So see it can vary so much from state to state~

Good luck to any one trying to get on the WIA program...it is gonna be a life saver for my family this Fall!

Actually from what I know about the WIA is that you can get it if you have Pell, but the Pell will be used first. Sometimes the Pell will be enough to pay for everything and WIA isn't used at all. As suggested, it is best to check it out. Usually there will be an informational meeting that you will need to attend and that will give you more info of what is required.

If you find that you meet the initial criteria, make sure to get started on doing whatever you have to do...it will take some time.

Kris

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Is this more of a need based program? For people with a low EFC?

It is somewhat of a need based, but they don't go by EFC. I believe the income limit was $40K a year. They will want six months of pay stubs which they will multiply by 2.

So while someone may not be able to get a Pell (a single person would need to have less than $12K to get any thing substantial), they can still get the WIA.

Kris

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Specializes in CNA.

How it works here ( in my case anyway )is the student is required to file for any grants they may qualify for and the school holds the grant money (PELL or otherwise)until they get the WIA payment, then the WIA money is applied to the students account and the student is cut a check for the overage.

For example say the student receives $3000.00 per semester total in grants ( Pell and CAP), and their tuition ,suppplies and books total $2000.00 per semester ...the grants go into the students account first , then book store charges and tuition come out ...then the remainder of funds is held for 30 days( to make sure students are attending class) during that 30 days WIA deposits what ever amount the student qualifies for into the account , lets say the full amount of tuition ond supplies is covered (in my case it is up to $5000.00 a semester) so WIA is $2000.00 deposited to the school! There will be an overage in that students account amounting to $3000.00 , the student will be cut a check for that amount when the 30 day wait is over!

So at my school I guess WIA is used first instead of the PELL or at least they dont keep the student from getting the WIA if the money is more than enough to pay for expenses, the way they explained it to me is all the money ( grant and WIA)goes in charges come out and student gets the positive difference ....my WIA contact says it differs from region to region and I can really see that just from talking to people here on allnurses~

I just hope this thread will introduce a few people to the WIA program who might never have heard of it otherwise , I know without it my life would be immeasurably harder the next 2 years not to mention the nasty debt I would be racking up ,,,and I only knew about it cause someone took the time to share their experience with it when they were in school a few years ago for PTA. ( that girl is my new guardian angel :loveya:)

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Specializes in Home Health, Education.

I think I stated to someone on the thread that I started on this subject in the pre-nursing student forum to talk to your college/career counselor in your state b/c everyone's situation varies. That's what needs to be underscored here: Even if you think you will not qualify, research and apply for it anyway. You never know, you might just get the assistance you need!

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Specializes in CNA.

* I would just add to contact your local community based services office if you are in need if financial assistance( the welfare, food stamp and medicaid office) because my financial aid counselor never once mentioned WIA to me , and many prorgams like WIA are run through that office community services office so it is the best place to initiate contact. My school , for whatever reason, would not have lead me there as they never even mentioned WIA ...without my friends ( thanks Renee) word of mouth "advertising" I would have been misssing out on some big help for the next 2 years and I hate for anyone else to miss out , I am just trying to pay it forward~

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I just got an email back from the lady at Work One and she said they only give WIA scholarships to people that are in their last semester of nursing school here. That just doesn't seem right to me so I'm still holding out to hear from the other guy and see. I haven't had a chance to call yet but if I don't get an email back today then I will call him tomorrow.

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I live in NC and I am using the WIA program. My story is I was in the tech field making 50,000 a year and got laid off from my job after 8 years. In this area high paying jobs are limited to none esp. in that field. So a friend told me about workforce (what its named here) and I got in touch with them through the unemplyment office (I was on unemployment for 6 months after my layoff).

The program is VERY user friendly, or at least it has been for me so far (knock on wood). They dont base anything on my husbands income, I just had to take an entrance exam (which was really basic stuff) and I got in.

This is my second semester in school . I start the RN program in the fall. So far they have paid for all my books, supplies, they paid for my physical, shots, cpr and everything going into the program. They will pick up all of my uniforms and supplies and tuition. All I have to do is keep up with a time sheet (making sure I am actually going to class) and meet with my WIA advisor once a quarter. They give me vouchers for EVERYTHING I need. They will even pay my NCLEX exam fee.

The only thing they wont pay for is retaking a class if you fail, which I think is fair.

I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to go to school for free in this day and age. I hope anyone "displaced" like I was finds this info helpful.

The only downfall for me...the loss of the income and not working while I go to school has really put a financial strain on us. I know it will pay off when I am done but whew if I can get past all of the stress and school Ill know that it was by the grace of God. :heartbeat

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I'm hearing that WIA is a really awesome program. It just doesn't seem right that they only pay for the last semester of nursing school. It is a federal program, isn't it? I'm curious as to why it is so different in each location. I'm going to continue asking around here to see what the real deal is. Surely the info I got today wasn't entirely correct. Anyone in Indiana using this program? Please share some insight. I'll post when I find out the real nitty gritty.

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Why would they only play for the last semester? That seems really odd.

You can call the local unemployment office and just ask for a number to talk to someone. At the school I go to they have an office in our school as well.

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