Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI)
The application period for this grant has passed.
Overview
This grant is no longer accepting applicants and all WEI funds have been exhausted. If additional funding is received, the grant application will be reopened.
The Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) provides resources for short-term education/training programs designed to help participants gain employment in high-wage and in-demand occupations.
Applicable Programs
WEI student support services
As a WEI participant, you can receive:
- Free tuition and fees
- Books and materials
- A stipend
- Transportation assistance
- Child care assistance
- Waiver for prior unpaid fees owed to BHC
- Loanable laptop and Wi-Fi hotspots
- Tutoring
- Essential and employability skills training
- Job placement assistance
Eligibility
In order to participate in the WEI program, you must:
- Reside within the Black Hawk College district.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who meets certain eligibility requirements.
- Be low income (i.e. qualify for federal financial aid; receive SNAP benefits, Medicaid or TANF).
- Meet requirements of selected WEI program.
Steps to Apply
1. Complete the WEI Application
All WEI applications are on a first come first serve basis and will be reviewed in 3-5 business days. Applicants will be notified by email regarding program acceptance and/or if additional information is required.
The questions ask basic information about the prospective student, including education, employment, household and program interest. It will also ask for 3-5 sentence statements on the following:
- Explain why you are chose to pursue your academic program/field of study and how you will benefit from receiving WEI resources.
- What or who is your motivation for success and why?
- Think about a time when you faced a challenge. How did you overcome it, and what did you learn from that experience?
2. Complete the 2024-25 FAFSA
To complete the FAFSA, all contributors must be present and bring their required documents. (Incomplete FAFSAs can be saved and completed by student or parent at a later time.)
3. Take a Career Coach Assessment
If you don’t have one already, please create an account before taking the assessment.
About the Grant
The Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) is a statewide grant program focused on expanding training opportunities for minority students in at-risk communities. Now in its sixth year of funding (FY25), the WEI model is proving to be a successful methodology for achieving outstanding enrollment, completion and employment
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Academic Departments
WEI Grant Facilitators
Dr. Daniel C. Marvin
Dean of Economic & Workforce Development
309-796-5040
marvind@bhc.edu