‘Second Chance’ Fund Launches in Wayne County
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA new fund has been started to help students complete workplace training through Ivy Tech Community College Richmond. The college and the Wayne County Foundation are partnering on The Second Chance Education Fund. April 11, 2014
News Release
The Wayne County Foundation and Ivy Tech Community College Richmond announced today the establishment of a new education fund. The Second Chance Education Fund will assist students to complete workplace skills certification training at Ivy Tech Richmond.
Stephen C. Borchers, Executive Director of the Wayne County Foundation said, “The Second Chance Education Fund is a great chance for students who did not graduate from high school in a traditional manner or timeframe achieve workplace skills that will support regional vitality. The donors who established this fund were very clear. They wanted to invest in people who have made the commitment to invest in themselves. Moreover, they see this approach as a very effective way of improving the quality of our local workforce.”
Diana Pappin, Executive Director of Resource Development at Ivy Tech Community College Richmond said, “Ivy Tech is looking forward to working with individuals who are making huge strides in their pursuit of education and workplace skills. They have already taken the first step by either taking the GED Exam or enrolling in the Excel programs. With this wonderful new scholarship program they will be able to get a workforce certification without going into debt and hopefully get a job or continue their education”.
To qualify for assistance applicants must have graduated from the Excel Center or be a Wayne County resident who earned a GED after December 1, 2013. Students must enroll in an Ivy Tech Richmond certificate program within one year after graduating from the Excel Center or receiving the GED. Programs leading to a certification are usually 16-30 semester hours.
Recipients will receive up to $2,000 in “last dollar” support to complement their financial aid package and/or pay for certification testing. Aid packages are expected to include Pell Grants (if applicable) and any applicable federal and/or state grants.
Borchers said, “The Wayne County Foundation is delighted to partner with Richmond Community Schools, the Excel Center and Ivy Tech to encourage more people to pursue higher levels of academic achievement and critical workforce skills.”
For information about the program contact Toure Conley, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Ivy Tech Community College Richmond, 765-966-2656 x 1224 or tconley18@ivytech.edu.Source: Wayne County Foundation