WORKER RETRAINING Start Next Quarter WorkFirst Orientation One of the Seattle Community Colleges CENTRAL | NORTH | SOUTH | SVI Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project North Seattle Community College

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project WorkFirst Overview Federal Financial Aid Other Funding Sources Getting Started at NSCC Process for Payment Campus Resources Wrap-Up Session Agenda

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

WorkFirst Tuition Assistance Program Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

WorkFirst is Washington's temporary cash assistance program for low-income families. WorkFirst provides families the services and supports they need to “get a job, get a better job and have a better life!” NSCC WorkFirst, under the Workforce Education Department, assists eligible students to obtain career training to return to the workforce. What is WorkFirst?

Support provided: Tuition Assistance Book Assistance Verify Participation Hours for DSHS Other support services, transportation and Working Connections Childcare, may be available through DSHS case managers. What does NSCC WorkFirst Provide?

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Currently receiving Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP) developed with DSHS case manager Completed Workforce Education Application Program Eligibility

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

WorkFirst Requirements Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

Weekly Participation Sheets WorkFirst students are required to submit a participation sheet to the Workforce Education office once a week

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Absence Policy – Students are allowed two excused absences per month up to 10 excused absences a year. Excused Absences – In order to get an excused absence, you must report your absence prior to the start of class. Participation hours are recorded. Unexcused Absences - Absences not reported prior to the start of class. NO participation hours recorded. WorkFirst Absence Policy

Reporting an Absence Call the Workforce Education Office at option 5. Leave a message including Name, Student ID number, and reason for absence the WorkFirst Staff at Online form at

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Cash Time Limits 60-month time limit for TANF benefits Educational Time Limits One-year of full-time school – does not include pre-requisite classes. Pre-requisite classes are taken part-time and must be paired with a “core” activity WorkFirst Time Limits

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Satisfactory Academic Progress In order to remain eligible for funding, students must: Complete at least 50% of attempted credits (regardless of how those credits were funded) Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher There is an appeal process for students who do not meet this standard.

Apply for Federal Financial Aid Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

Financial Aid is Federal financial assistance from the Department of Education that helps qualified individuals and families pursue education beyond high school. Eligibility is based on family household size and income. If a student qualifies for Financial Aid, they may be eligible for one or more funding program. Pell Grant—for eligible students without a degree; always available State Need Grant— additional state funding for eligible students without a degree; must apply early Work Study—allows students to earn wages while working on campus; must apply early *Tuition Waiver, North Seattle Grant, and other funding may be available. *No loans are available through the Seattle Community College district What is Financial Aid?

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project You can receive more funding. Federal Financial Aid often provides more than Workforce Education funding. Funding is more stable. You will be granted an award for the entire year rather than only a Quarterly basis through Workforce Education. Why Apply for Financial Aid?

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project – 2013 Academic Year – Completed FAFSA & Data Sheet Receipt of verification documents and transcripts, as required The FAFSA must be completed every academic year. When do I Apply?

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project The Financial Aid Guide provides more details on Satisfactory Academic Progress and Special Conditions.

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

1.Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid 2.Complete and submit the Financial Aid Data Sheet 3.Submit Unofficial Transcripts for all colleges attended in the last 5 years *Students may be asked to provide additional documents including, but not limited to income tax returns, citizenship status, etc. How Do I Apply?

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Seattle Goodwill holds a free “Filling out the FAFSA” workshop several times each Quarter on campus in the Opportunity Center Building. For information contact: Monica Cheng, College Navigator (206) Need help with the FAFSA?

Worker Retaining Basic Food Employment and Training (non-TANF only) Opportunity Grant WIA Funding Scholarships Other Funding Sources:

Any Questions so Far? Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

Getting Started at NSCC Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

Apply to the College Take COMPASS Placement Test Follow-up Appointment Register for Classes Steps to Get Started

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Complete the online form. A SID will be sent to your (if you provided one) within 48 hours. If you do not have an , check in with the registration office to pick up SID number. Applying to the College

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Two sections – Math – English (Reading and Writing) Computer based “smart test” Untimed test – You can pause out of your test at any time and come back (within 2 weeks) to finish. Give yourself at least 2 hours to complete the test COMPASS Placement Test

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project On test day – DO bring Photo ID, receipt from cashier office, Student ID number – DO NOT bring valuable personal items, children After the test – Save a copy of your test scores for your records – Bring a copy to your advising appointment COMPASS Placement Test

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Attend “Before You Test” – COMPASS prep session – Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm (OCE&E rm 230) – Wednesday, 5pm to 7pm (CC Building rm 3357 ) COMPASS Prep Session

Your Follow Up Appointment Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

Take the COMPASS placement test (bring scores to your appointment) Choose a program Schedule an appointment – (206) Preparing for Your Appointment

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Choosing a Program BACK

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Your Advising Appointment During your appointment you will review your program Scope and Sequence, outlining classes for your program of study.Scope and Sequence The Scope and Sequence will be used to guide quarterly registration.

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Scope and Sequence

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Grades – transcript is your permanent record Academic Progress Adding/Dropping Classes – make them official After You Start Classes

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Get to know your instructor Participate in class Keep up with your homework 2 hours of studying for each hour in class Get help when you need it – Loft (2 nd floor of library) – Math Learning Center (Education Building) Tips for Success

Process for Payment Tuition, Fees, and Books Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

A hold will be placed so you will not be dropped from classes for non-payment. Students receiving enough Financial Aid or other funding to cover their tuition and fees will not receive additional funding from Workforce Education (WFE). For those receiving an award, payment will be made directly to the college for some or all of your tuition and fees. Tuition Payment

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Confirm payment. On the Wednesday before the quarter begins please confirm payment has been applied towards your tuition via the Student Information Services Kiosk, available at: Missing payment. If you feel that a payment should have been applied to your account by WFE but it is missing, please contact the WFE office at Adding a class. If you make changes to your schedule (including adding a class or being added via waitlist) please come to our WFE Office (Opportunity Center Building, room 240) to request additional tuition assistance. Tuition Payment Cont.

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Book vouchers will not be issued for students receiving a Financial Aid/scholarship check over $250. Students will have awards up to the cost of new required books (not recommended books). Book vouchers are available the first and second day of the quarter between 8:00-2:00 in the WFE Office. After that time, vouchers are available at the Financial Aid Office (College Center Building, second floor). Book Vouchers

Campus Resources Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project

NSCC Resources The Loft Writing Center Plus – Writing and Language Tutoring Math Learning Center – Math and Science Tutoring Library & Media Services Open Computer Labs Women’s Center Disability Services Veteran’s Services

Funded in part by the Walmart Brighter Futures Project Wrap-Up Any Questions? Schedule your Follow-Up Appointment Turn in your Workforce Education Application Get your COMPASS Test Voucher