Deadline: 15-May-22
The Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development is seeking applications for its Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Program for adults.
The grant addresses workforce needs by helping adults pursue a certificate, degree, or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need. Grant recipients must maintain Missouri residency and work in Missouri for three years after graduation to prevent the grant from becoming a loan that must be repaid with interest.
Awards
- The Fast Track grant is designed to ensure, when combined with other governmental financial aid, that tuition and fees are fully covered.
- Awards will be for any remaining tuition and fees not covered by other state and federal student aid programs.
- For individuals for which other aid covers the full tuition and fee costs, students are eligible for an award of up to $500 to cover other education-related expenses.
Grant Requirements
- This grant may be renewed by meeting all of the initial requirements and by making satisfactory progress, which includes maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
- The grant requires that students graduate from an approved institution, maintain Missouri residency, achieve qualifying employment in Missouri within 12 months of graduation, and maintain qualifying employment in Missouri for at least three years.
- One-third of the aggregate amount received through the Fast Track grant will remain a grant for each year of residency and employment. If the recipient meets the residency and employment requirements for less than the full three years, any remaining balance will be converted to a loan and will be repayable with interest.
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals who are 25 years or older or individuals who have not been enrolled in any school within the last two years can participate.
- The grant will serve students who have not earned a bachelor's degree and are planning to enroll part time or full time.
- Individuals who make no more than $80,000 filing jointly, or no more than $40,000 per year, filing any other tax status.
Student Eligibility: To be eligible to receive an award, an initial applicant must:
- Submit a complete Fast Track application with the Department of Higher Education & Workforce
- Development.
- Be at least 25 years old or not have been enrolled in an education program at any level within
- the past two years.
- Enroll at least half-time at a participating institution in a program designated as eligible by the
-
Coordinating Board.
- Short-term (less than 300 clock hours) and noncredit programs meet this by definition.
- Complete the FAFSA .
- Apply for and accept all governmental financial aid, which excludes work-study and any loans,
- for which he or she is eligible.
- Have an Adjusted Gross Income, as reported on the FAFSA, of no more than $80,000 for married
- individuals filing federal income taxes jointly or $40,000 if filing in any other status.
- Be a Missouri resident and a US citizen or permanent resident.
- Not have circumstances preventing receipt of federal Title IV student financial aid, such as being
- in default on a federal l oan or having a criminal record preventing receipt of federal Title IV student financial aid.
For more information visit Fast Track Workforce .
For more information, visit https://dhewd.mo.gov/initiatives/fasttrackgrant_for_students.php