Pathways: Using a WIOA Youth Program to Get Free Tuition for College and Career Training

Do WIOA Youth Programs Really Offer Free Tuition?

Yes-WIOA Youth programs offer free tuition for college and financial assistance for career training. In addition, WIOA Youth programs offer free books and school supplies, gas cards, Uber and Lyft rides, rental and housing assistance, childcare assistance, paid-work experiences, resume and job search assistance, access to mental health counseling, and more!

What's a WIOA Youth Program?

WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) is an initiative by the U.S. Department of Labor aimed at removing barriers to education and employment for young adults enter lucrative career opportunities. Youth (young adults ages 16-24) who are eligible to work in the U.S. and not yet registered for college credit courses may qualify by meeting one of the following:

• Pregnant or parenting
• Homeless or living somewhere temporarily
• Subject to the justice system (misdemeanor, felony, etc.)
• Diagnosed with a mental or physical disability
• Dropped out of high school
• Low-income due to wages or public assistance within the last six months
• English language learner
• Basic skills deficient in reading or math (based on test scores)
• Currently in (or aged out of) foster care

Is This Book for Me?

Whether you are a soon-to-be high school graduate, an individual who took time off after high school, a student who did not complete high school, a parent, a high school/college counselor, or an individual who simply wants to learn more about WIOA Youth programs, this book is for you. Pathways is a lookbook-a visual guide that walks you through each step of WIOA Youth programs. You will find details including career options to choose, application steps, where to find WIOA Youth providers in your area, and tips, strategies, and simple actions to help you achieve success in a WIOA Youth program, in college, in your career, and in your personal life.