No worker left behind???

shannonmarie7 · Apr 10, 2009

I applied for the program, was approved, then did not take it. You have to take a test and if you pass then they look to see if you qualify. If you do then you have to pick a degree that they approve of (at a school they approve of) and they do not think is a career that is declining. They only pay for a 2 year degree, it can not be more than that. I wanted it for my RN program which is 3 years and they will not let you use the money for the first 2 years then pay the rest yourself you have to be done and with a job in 2 years period.

I did not take it because it was like they were forcing me to go into something I did not want to do because they said to pick something else. Once I am done with the pre-reqs for my program I am going to go back and see if they will pay for the last 2 years but I doubt it.

You might as well go talk to someone and see if it is for you, just start getting financial aid set up through the school as a back up.

god-is-love · Apr 10, 2009

Thanks for the info! People from my program have gotten the money but it seems like it depends on the location & caseworker. Which location did u go 2? How long after the orientation did it take to get the process going?

shannonmarie7 · Apr 10, 2009

I went to the Michigan Works on 12 mile and Groesbeck in Roseville. The guy there wasn't very nice. It was a while ago that I went but I think you sign up, a week or so later you go to a meeting to talk about it, about 2 weeks later the test if approved and the a week or more from there. You need to go Monday and apply if you want to have it done in time. Like I said it really depends if they are going to approve the course and school which did not seem to work out, it is like they only want to approve certificates not degrees.

bubbley1021 · Apr 11, 2009

Hi! I would check it out, I am currently a Case Manager for a similar state program, and I can tell you at least in my area there IS funding that needs to be used. You will need to stick it out through an orientation meeting, then you will need to do some testing and make sure you have a resume created and probably go through a job search skills type class. IF your family makes less than $40,000 per year, and the program you want is less than 2 years long, ends in you obtaining a degree or certificate, and is also considered "high demand" (which RN still is as far as I know, despite things we may be hearing lately that would say otherwise), then you could be approved :-) The only other thing is, I know you said it's an accelerated BSN, do you already have a Bachelors in another field? If so, this might trip you up. I am on a *very* long wait list for an RN program, but was originally going to do a one year LPN program right away, and I could have been approved but I already have a Bachelors degree in another field so it was a no go :-(

god-is-love · Apr 11, 2009

Thanks so much for the info! I will go ahead & give it a try & see where it gets me maybe I will be one of the lucky ones. :specs:

giggy2 · Apr 11, 2009

Hello, just some random info on my experience with NWLB so far.

It is definitely worth it to look into NWLB. There are TONS of funds recently posted in Michigan that are waiting to be used by folks who qualify. If you have a family income under $40,000, OR if you have been laid off and are collecting unemployment, or if you are a displaced homemaker. My husband's income does not affect me regardless of what it is, because I am a displaced homemaker. As long as I am not working his income does not affect me at all.

Yep, it's busy at the NWLB office and it's to be expected with the way things are in our economy. If you watch the employees and see how people treat them, you'd understand why everyone is so b!^chy. That poor receptionist just isn't paid enough to deal with all those mean people and she's asked the same questions over and over again. Why is everyone always in such a rush anyhow? If your unemployed, where the heck to do have to be? If it's such an inconvenience, why the he!! are you here? DO NOT expect to get anything accomplished over the phone, they are too busy to answer calls, just stop in and be patient and persistent.

I started the proces at the beginning of February. I actually applied for several different programs at my community college and they would all qualify through NWLB. http://mycareereducation.org/ go to training search and find your favorite school, see if they have your program of interest listed. I'm simply waiting on acceptance/decline letters and then I can make my decision. Monday I have an appointment with my case worker. I have been told that once the funds are alloted to me I have 3 years to use them towards a 2 year degree or certificate. Get your pre-reqs done on your own time then apply for the funds, Michigan should not have to pay for you to take your Eng., Humn., psych., they are paying to train you in a new field. Also, once approved, you can get a job to help with expenses and your income no longer is a factor. Once you get the funds they are yours to use and cannot be taken away.

The test they give you is very simple, easier than the HESI and I believe they just want to see if you are a trainable person. If you want to go into nursing, make sure you get a 36 or better in the math (40 questions). 9th grade and under math, maybe even less. This is not a test to get nervous about! Its a booklet with a scantron. There is no college material.

When you go for your initial orientation, make sure you have something to eat, because it takes 2 hours. Bring your coffee and kick back. If you don't want to wait 1 month to get into your orientation, you can just show up and see if there is an opening so you can squeeze in. They take about 12-15 per orientation and if someone doesn't show up you can take their place. I stoppedin 2x and finally got an opening and moved up my paperwork by 3 weeks. At the Hayes and 19 Mile Rd. they test at 10 & 2 and I would sit and wait to see if they had an opening. Eva is very helpful, once you get to know her, she is very thick skinned and I can see why now.

Get your resume on https://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage even if it is not exactly the way you want it, get it posted. I don't think they even looked at mine, it just has to be posted. If you don't have it posted when you initially go in they make you go sit in a room and get it online, so do it at home where your comfortable. You also have to apply for FASFA so go ahead and apply for that and print the letter to prove you've done that.

Then they give you a list of things you need to bring back with you when you meet your caseworker. You must bring those things or they wont even see you. I have a folder and I have all of my stuff organized and ready to see my caseworker.

My husband is thrilled about this program as it takes a lot of stress off of him to support my daughter through college and me. I have several friends that have received NWLB funds and I have been told by one of them in the MCC nursing program that the majority of students in her class are NWLB students. Educate yourself about the program, be patient, and do the foot work. If you qualify, it's well worth it. If you are a stay at home mom/spouse you are good as gold getting the funds as your husbands income will not affect you, same thing with being laid off.

PM me if you have any questions, sorry I'm all over the board with my response and long winded. :bugeyes: I'll let you know after Monday if they approve me for the funds.

:twocents:

Hootnhollern · Apr 11, 2009

It is true, loads of people I know are in NWLB. I am in MCC's Nursing Program. It pays for classes, books, uniforms, supplies, and fees. Also it has some other things it will pay for.

Definitely look into it, and PLEASE don't bad-mouth it. The program has helped so many people. It is unfortunate if you don't qualify, but often times, people say things about it without even knowing what it is about , how to get into it, or based on what someone else has said. Find out for yourself.

(Hey Giggy !)

~Hoot~

shannonmarie7 · Apr 11, 2009

Giggy, how long do you have to be a homemaker to be displaced? I was laid off from my job and went through the NWLB program and did not take it because they would not pay for all 3 years of RN. In 5/07 I went though the process and was approved but never reached the point of funds being set. I went back to work for 6 months at a new place but I started school and decided to stay home to take care of my child because daycare was to expensive. I have been a SAHM/student for a year now and by time I may start in a program it will be 1 1/2 years of SAHM.

I am finishing with my pre-reqs and want to go back to NWLB and see if they will pay for the RN class since it is only 2 years left. The problem is I have been off unemployment for a year, I stopped working to stay home/go back to school, and hubby now makes over the max yearly salary. I know that you have 3 years from when you first apply so I may be considered a displaced homemaker but I am not sure since I stopped working on my own and it has only been a year.

giggy2 · Apr 11, 2009

Giggy, how long do you have to be a homemaker to be displaced? I was laid off from my job and went through the NWLB program and did not take it because they would not pay for all 3 years of RN. In 5/07 I went though the process and was approved but never reached the point of funds being set. I went back to work for 6 months at a new place but I started school and decided to stay home to take care of my child because daycare was to expensive. I have been a SAHM/student for a year now and by time I may start in a program it will be 1 1/2 years of SAHM.
I am finishing with my pre-reqs and want to go back to NWLB and see if they will pay for the RN class since it is only 2 years left. The problem is I have been off unemployment for a year, I stopped working to stay home/go back to school, and hubby now makes over the max yearly salary. I know that you have 3 years from when you first apply so I may be considered a displaced homemaker but I am not sure since I stopped working on my own and it has only been a year.

Hi Shannon,

I'm not sure but here's a FAQ: http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb/0,1607,7-242-48049---,00.html#2 I have been home/unemployed for over 10 years, so I don't know the answer to your questions. I think if you were layed off from your last job, you qualify. If you stop in at your local office I'm sure the staff could answer your questions. I thought I read somewhere that you have 3 years from the start of your proceedings to use the funds, but I'm not exactly positive on that info. Also, NWLB will not cover the pre-reqs to get into a program, these would be your responsibility thereby making most programs only 18-24 mo. I would definitely suggest that you stop back in at your office and discuss the situation to them. Find out about the SAHM situation and they may reopen your file. If you have an acceptance letter and all of your paperwork ready to go for an approved program I see no reason for a denial.

I hope you can get into a program and get the funds covered. I'm not sure what is covered at Baker, I haven't researched it (check previous links), but I certainly think you should do everything you can to try to get the funds and get your degree. Judgement is based on what you and your caseworker work out, so definitely some suckin'up is in order Maybe some Dunkin Donut holes would help JK.

I'll know more about it when I go to my meeting on Monday. I'll check back to give you an update on how it worked out and what I have to do.

I wish you the best on your journey.

giggy2 · Apr 11, 2009

One more thing, most people don't know about the SAHM/displaced homemaker status. I was answering a questionare from them and "displaced homemaker" was on there and as soon as I checked it, nobody mess with me. It was almost a given that I would get the funds. As long as I don't go back to work, and I get accepted into a program, I'm good to go. I don't know how far back they go and I don't see anything about it on their website. HTH

god-is-love · Apr 11, 2009

thank u so much for sharing your knoweledge & experience with me I am going 2 get the ball rolling early next week. Giggy I wish u the best of luck next week! What paperwork do they require u 2 bring?