WORKER RETRAINING
Start Next QuarterWorkFirst Orientation
One of the Seattle Community Colleges CENTRAL | NORTH | SOUTH | SVI
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
North Seattle Community College
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• WorkFirst Overview• Federal Financial Aid• Other Funding Sources• Getting Started at NSCC• Process for Payment• Campus Resources• Wrap-Up
Session Agenda
WorkFirst Tuition Assistance Program
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
WorkFirst is Washington's temporary cash assistance program for low-income families. WorkFirst provides families the services and supports they need to “get a job, get a better job and have a better life!”
NSCC WorkFirst, under the Workforce Education Department, assists eligible students to obtain career training to return to the workforce.
What is WorkFirst?
Support provided:• Tuition Assistance• Book Assistance• Verify Participation Hours for DSHS
Other support services, transportation and Working Connections Childcare, may be available through DSHS case managers.
What does NSCC WorkFirst Provide?
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Currently receiving Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)
• Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP) developed with DSHS case manager
• Completed Workforce Education Application
Program Eligibility
WorkFirstRequirements
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Weekly Participation Sheets
WorkFirst students are required to submit a participation sheet to the Workforce Education office once a week
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Absence Policy – Students are allowed two excused absences per month up to 10 excused absences a year.
• Excused Absences – In order to get an excused absence, you must report your absence prior to the start of class. Participation hours are recorded.
• Unexcused Absences - Absences not reported prior to the start of class. NO participation hours recorded.
WorkFirst Absence Policy
Reporting an Absence• Call the Workforce Education Office at 260-934-3787
option 5. Leave a message including Name, Student ID number, and reason for absence
• Email the WorkFirst Staff at [email protected] • Online form at
https://northseattle.edu/workforce-education/workfirst-program
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Cash Time Limits• 60-month time limit for TANF benefits
• Educational Time Limits• One-year of full-time school – does not
include pre-requisite classes.• Pre-requisite classes are taken part-time
and must be paired with a “core” activity
WorkFirst Time Limits
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Satisfactory Academic Progress
In order to remain eligible for funding, students must:
• Complete at least 50% of attempted credits (regardless of how those credits were funded)
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
There is an appeal process for students who do not meet this standard.
Apply for Federal Financial Aid
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Financial Aid is Federal financial assistance from the Department of Education that helps qualified individuals and families pursue education
beyond high school.
Eligibility is based on family household size and income. If a student qualifies for Financial Aid, they may be eligible for one or more funding program.
• Pell Grant—for eligible students without a degree; always available
• State Need Grant— additional state funding for eligible students without a degree; must apply early
• Work Study—allows students to earn wages while working on campus; must apply early
*Tuition Waiver, North Seattle Grant, and other funding may be available.*No loans are available through the Seattle Community College district
What is Financial Aid?
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• You can receive more funding. Federal Financial Aid often provides more than Workforce Education funding.
• Funding is more stable. You will be granted an award for the
entire year rather than only a Quarterly basis through Workforce Education.
Why Apply for Financial Aid?
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
2012 – 2013 Academic Year – • Completed 2012-13 FAFSA & Data Sheet• Receipt of verification documents and transcripts, as
required
The FAFSA must be completed every academic year.
When do I Apply?
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
The Financial Aid Guide provides more details on Satisfactory Academic Progress and Special Conditions.
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
1. Complete the 2012-13 Free Application for Federal Student Aid www.FAFSA.gov
2. Complete and submit the Financial Aid Data Sheet 3. Submit Unofficial Transcripts for all colleges attended in the
last 5 years
*Students may be asked to provide additional documents including, but not limited to income tax returns, citizenship status, etc.
How Do I Apply?
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Seattle Goodwill holds a free “Filling out the FAFSA” workshop several times each Quarter on campus in the Opportunity Center Building.
• For information contact: Monica Cheng, College Navigator (206) 934-7478 • [email protected]
Need help with the FAFSA?
• Worker Retaining• Basic Food Employment and Training (non-TANF only)• Opportunity Grant• WIA Funding• Scholarships
www.thewashboard.org https://northseattle.edu/scholarships
Other Funding Sources:
Any Questions so Far?
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Getting Started at NSCC
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Apply to the College• Take COMPASS Placement Test• Follow-up Appointment• Register for Classes
Steps to Get Started
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• www.northseattle.edu/admissions/steps
• Complete the online form. A SID will be sent to your email (if you provided one) within 48 hours. If you do not have an email, check in with the registration office to pick up SID number.
Applying to the College
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Two sections– Math– English (Reading and Writing)
• Computer based “smart test”• Untimed test
– You can pause out of your test at any time and come back (within 2 weeks) to finish.
• Give yourself at least 2 hours to complete the test
COMPASS Placement Test
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• On test day– DO bring Photo ID, receipt from cashier office, Student ID
number– DO NOT bring valuable personal items, children
• After the test– Save a copy of your test scores for your records– Bring a copy to your advising appointment
COMPASS Placement Test
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Attend “Before You Test” – COMPASS prep session– Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm (OCE&E rm 230)– Wednesday, 5pm to 7pm (CC Building rm 3357)
COMPASS Prep Session
Your Follow Up Appointment
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Take the COMPASS placement test (bring scores to your appointment)
• Choose a program
• Schedule an appointment – (206) 934-3787
Preparing for Your Appointment
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Your Advising Appointment
• During your appointment you will review your program Scope and Sequence, outlining classes for your program of study.
• The Scope and Sequence will be used to guide quarterly registration.
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Grades – transcript is your permanent record
• Academic Progress
• Adding/Dropping Classes – make them official
After You Start Classes
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Get to know your instructor• Participate in class• Keep up with your homework• 2 hours of studying for each hour in class • Get help when you need it– Loft (2nd floor of library)– Math Learning Center (Education Building)
Tips for Success
Process for PaymentTuition, Fees, and Books
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• A hold will be placed so you will not be dropped from classes for non-payment.
• Students receiving enough Financial Aid or other funding to cover their tuition and fees will not receive additional funding from Workforce Education (WFE).
• For those receiving an award, payment will be made directly to the college for some or all of your tuition and fees.
Tuition Payment
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Confirm payment. On the Wednesday before the quarter begins please confirm payment has been applied towards your tuition via the Student Information Services Kiosk, available at: https://sccdweb.sccd.ctc.edu/nscckiosk/waci003.html
• Missing payment. If you feel that a payment should have been applied to your account by WFE but it is missing, please contact the WFE office at 206-934-3787.
• Adding a class. If you make changes to your schedule (including adding a class or being added via waitlist) please come to our WFE Office (Opportunity Center Building, room 240) to request additional tuition assistance.
Tuition Payment Cont.
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
• Book vouchers will not be issued for students receiving a Financial Aid/scholarship check over $250.
• Students will have awards up to the cost of new required books (not recommended books).
• Book vouchers are available the first and second day of the quarter between 8:00-2:00 in the WFE Office. After that time, vouchers are available at the Financial Aid Office (College Center Building, second floor).
Book Vouchers
Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project www.seattlecolleges.edu/wrp
NSCC Resources• The Loft Writing Center Plus – Writing and Language
Tutoring• Math Learning Center – Math and Science Tutoring• Library & Media Services• Open Computer Labs• Women’s Center• Disability Services• Veteran’s Services