Workforce Education

The Workforce Education Office at South Seattle College can help you enter or reenter the workforce through career training, financial aid assistance, job placement assistance and academic planning.

Workforce Education’s various tuition assistance programs are designed to help you achieve your personal and professional goals. If you qualify, you may receive funding for tuition and fees and may also be eligible for help with textbooks, required supplies, a student ID card, a parking permit or ORCA transit pass.

Note: Funding options are available to cover Nursing prerequisite courses. Learn More about Nursing at South.

Workforce Education Training Programs

How to Get Started

Step 1: Start Next Quarter

To find out if you qualify for funding, take a brief survey at startnextquarter.org. For questions please contact the Workforce Education Office at workforcesouth@seattlecolleges.edu or (206) 934-5835.

Learn more about additional ways to pay for college.

Step 2: Meet with a Workforce Specialist

After completing the Start Next Quarter Survey, a Workforce Specialist will contact you to assist with the quarterly Workforce Intake Application. Specialists will work with you to place a hold on your student account to prevent your classes from being dropped while we determine whether you are eligible for a Workforce grant. 

Note: All students that are applying or receiving Unemployment Benefits must attend a CAT/TB orientation. This orientation is to fill out the paperwork that will allow you to attend school while you are receiving your Unemployment Benefits, and to potentially extend your benefits.

Workforce Education Grants

Workforce Education grants include: 

Worker Retraining: Available to students who are employed in an occupation that is “not in demand” according to the demand/decline list, do not have a previous degree or certificate and have completed less than one year of college education (less than 45 college credits) from any school, or need to learn new skills in order to maintain employment.

WorkFirst Program: Available to students receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). WorkFirst participants are referred by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Basic Food Employment & Training Program (BFET): Available to students receiving federally issued Basic Food Benefits (SNAP).

Additional Resources

Opportunity Grant: Available to low–income adults pursuing an approved program. Students may receive funds to cover tuition and mandatory fees up to 45 credits and up to $1,000 for required books and supplies per academic year.

WorkSource Career Center: Provides services to aid your employment search. Resources are available to students and community members, with qualified staff to assist in all stages of a job search.

Washington State Employment Security Department: Explore careers and find resources on unemployment benefits, career training and job hunting skills.

Washington State Department of Social & Health Services: Assistance for children, families, vulnerable adults and seniors with food assistance, financial aid, medical and behavioral healthcare and other services.

WashBoard: Access to scholarships and financial aid for Washington state students.

 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.