Community college grants
Private and federally funded grants are available to community colleges. Remedial job training, a focus on creating a greener environment and getting displaced workers employed again are key objectives of community college grants. Vocational certificate and degree-level programs are covered under grants. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) funds several grants. DOE's Office of Vocational and Adult Education department alone distributes about $1.9 billion a year in educational grants.
Community-Based Job Training Grant
Community-based job training grants are administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration Office. The purpose of the grants is to offer financial assistance to eligible community colleges so that they can expand their job training programs and help prepare residents for quality employment. To be eligible to receive the grant, a community college must be an accredited public school that offers associate degree programs. Community colleges can only apply for one grant under the federal program. Grant proposals should show that the college supports training across one or more high-growth or in-demand industries. Community college training programs supported by the grant are encouraged to target displaced or recently hired or promoted workers.
Pathways Out of Poverty Grant
The Pathways Out of Poverty Grant is a program administered under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 through the U.S. Department of Labor. The purpose of the grant is to "preserve and create jobs" in order to strengthen the United States' economy. Grant funding helps eligible community colleges to finance training for potential and current workers in high-demand energy industries. Job readiness and literacy training are provided to help low-income and displaced workers strengthen their skills so that they can re-enter the workforce or/and gain better quality employment. Community colleges who have received the grant already include the Community College of Philadelphia, Eastern Maine Community College, DeKalb Community College, Grand Rapids Community College, Oklahoma City Community College and the Los Angeles Community College.
Strengthening Institutions Grant
The U.S. Department of Education administers the Strengthening Institutions Grant. The purpose of the grant is to help institutions of higher education (IHEs) to become self-sufficient. Grants also help the schools to expand their training programs that assist low-income students in excelling academically and in the workforce. Funds from the grant can be used by eligible community colleges to develop faculty members and provide or expand student services. Academic facility construction and maintenance costs and expenses associated with creating endowment funds are also covered under the grant. To be eligible to receive the grant, community colleges must be accredited or pre-accredited and offer associate or bachelor degree-level programs. Eligible community colleges also must have a student population of 50 percent or more students who qualify to receive financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act or who qualify and are receiving a PELL grant.
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