Frequently Asked Questions about No Worker Left Behind
Why do I have to go to an orientation?
How is it determined that people are eligible for funding?
What can I use the funding for?
Can I still collect unemployment while I attend school?
Does Michigan Works offer vocational training?
If I have a delinquent student loan – can I still receive the funding?
If classes start next week, will I have the funding by then?
Can I obtain a certificate and a degree or obtain two certificates?
Do I have to pay this money back?
What if I receive the Pell Grant?
What are the careers in demand for the Northwest Michigan region?
Why is the training limited to a list of approved training programs?
If my spouse makes a lot of money do I qualify?
Is there a timeline in which I am required to use the funding?
Why do I have to go to an orientation?
No Worker Left Behind orientation is the first step in the process, and explains everything you need to know to get started. There has been an overwhelming response to this initiative, and we would not be able to accommodate everyone if we didn’t begin the process with a group orientation.
How is it determined that people are eligible for funding?
A person is eligible if he or she is:
· Unemployed, OR
· Working, but household income is $40,000 per year or less, OR
· Working, and has received a notice of termination / layoff.
You must be at least 18 years old and out of high school for at least 2 years. If you are 18 – 23 years old, you must not be a full time college student.
Eligibility does not mean that you are automatically approved. An assessment will be completed with a Michigan Works Career Advisor to ensure that your career and training plans are suitable and that you will be successful.
How much is the funding?
Up to $5,000 per year for 2 years.
What can I use the funding for?
Tuition, books, fees.
Can I still collect unemployment while I attend school?
You may be eligible for a waiver of the “seeking work” requirement while collecting unemployment benefits. Ask your Career Advisor for details.
I have an online program (medical transcriptionist, realtor, contractor’s license) that I found that I want to take, will NWLB pay for it?
In order for No Worker Left Behind to pay for training, that training program must be approved. The list of approved training programs is kept on the Career Education Consumer Report, www.MyCareerEducation.org. If your training program is not listed, talk to your Career Advisor about what steps to take.
Does Michigan Works offer vocational training?
Michigan Works! does not offer training, but assists individuals in getting the training they need. Any training program – vocational or otherwise – must be listed as an approved program on www.MyCareerEducation.org. If your training program is not listed, talk to your Career Advisor about what steps to take.
If I have a delinquent student loan – can I still receive the funding?
No. All federal student loans must be in good standing in order to receive No Worker Left Behind funding.
If classes start next week, will I have the funding by then?
The process to get funding is pretty involved and usually takes longer than a week. If you are already well into the process, and it looks possible to finish the requirements prior to the start of class, then your Career Advisor will assist you as quickly as possible.
If a training program isn’t listed on the mycareereducation.org website, can I still receive funding?
The training program will need to be approved before you can receive funding for that program. Ask your Career Advisor about what steps to take.
Can I obtain a certificate and a degree or obtain two certificates?
No Worker Left Behind is a one-time offer and will pay for one training program.
Do I have to pay this money back?
No.
What if I receive the Pell Grant?
The Pell Grant funding will be applied to your tuition first, then No Worker Left Behind will pay the remainder, up to $5,000 per year for two years.
What are the careers in demand for the Northwest Michigan region?
The list of in-demand occupations for Northwest Michigan was compiled using labor market information data – usually based on forecasts and projections – and from connections with local employers. Ask your Career Advisor if you have a question about a specific occupation on the list, or if you feel one is missing. Click here to view the list of approved in-demand occupations for Northwest Michigan.
Why is the training limited to a list of approved training programs?
This is a requirement of the federal legislation that gives us the money for No Worker Left Behind. It is a way to make sure that the funding pays for legitimate, successful training programs.
If my spouse makes a lot of money do I qualify?
If you are unemployed, you are considered eligible for No Worker Left Behind, regardless of your spouses’ income. However, eligibility does not mean that you are automatically approved. An assessment will be completed with a Michigan Works Career Advisor to ensure that your career and training plans are suitable and that you will be successful. Spouses’ income has no bearing on the assessment process.
Is there a timeline in which I am required to use the funding?
You must sign up by August of 2010. You have up to 4 years to complete your training.
Can I register for classes prior to going through the required assessment at Michigan Works!, and if so, will I be reimbursed for tuition costs?
No Worker Left Behind is not a reimbursement program. All tuition is paid directly to the training institution by Michigan Works!. Start the process by attending a No Worker Left Behind orientation.