Arkansas Workforce Improvement Grant

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Workforce Improvement Grant

Date Updated: November 15, 2006

The Workforce Improvement Grant is a need based grant for non-traditional students, those at least 24 years old. The program's goal is to help those students returning to school who have financial need but might not be eligible for assistance from traditional state and federal programs. This program is Arkansas' participation in the federal Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) program. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) receives LEAP funds from the US Department of Education and matches them with state funds.

ADHE distributes Workforce Improvement Grant funds to participating institutions based on the number of non-traditional students enrolled at each institution as a percentage of the total number of non-traditional students enrolled at participating institutions. The institutions then make awards to students based on procedures established by the institution in accordance with Workforce Improvement Grant rules and regulations.

The application deadline is determined by each institution for its students. Students apply for the Workforce Improvement Grant by completing the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA), either through use of the on-line application or the a paper application. While either form of application (on-line or paper) is acceptable and the type of application used will not affect eligibility for the grant, use of the on-line application is encouraged because it is a faster, more efficient and more accurate process. To be eligible, a student must have unmet need after consideration of any Pell Grant awarded and must meet the general eligibility requirements for federal financial aid programs. The annual award is a maximum of $2000 for a student enrolled full time (12 semester hours), but may be less in order to prevent an over award as defined by federal regulations. Students enrolled part time will have their grants prorated based on the number of hours enrolled. Because the grants are not renewable, students must apply each year.