Opportunity Grants

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Background

In 2006, the Washington State Legislature appropriated $4 million to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to create the Opportunity Grant pilot program. The 10 pilot programs showed excellent results with 73 percent retention and approximately 843 low-income students participating in training for high-wage, high-demand career pathways.

In 2007, the Legislature expanded the Opportunity Grant program by $7.5 million for a total of $11.5 million per year for all 34 community and technical colleges. In 2007-08 the Opportunity Grant program expects to serve 2,000 full-time equivalent students (FTES) or approximately 4,000 full-time and part-time students. Read the complete 2007 Opportunity Grant Legislation.

Student Success

The goal of the Opportunity Grant is to help low-income adults reach the educational tipping point — and beyond — in high-wage, high-demand careers. Reaching the tipping point allows the least prepared individuals to increase job skills and knowledge through career pathways.

Information for Students

Eligible students may receive funds to cover tuition/mandatory fees for 45 credits and up to $1,000 for books and supplies for per year. Support services such as tutoring, career advising, college success classes, emergency child care and emergency transportation are also part of the Opportunity Grant program.

Interested students should contact the Opportunity Grant Coordinator at the community or technical college they would like to attend.

Information for Opportunity Grant Coordinators, Administrators, and Financial Aid Staff

Find information and a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) here. Not finding what you need? Contact Ronelle Funk at rfunk@sbctc.edu.

• FAQs
• Opportunity Grant Coordinator Contacts
• Criteria for adding new certificates or degrees
• 2008 HHS Poverty Guidelines
  for 2008-09 Academic Year
• 2007 HHS Poverty Guidelines
  for 2007-08 Academic Year
• Eligible pathways or programs of study (by college)
• To join the Opportunity Grant Listserve go to: http://lists.ctc.edu/mailman/listinfo/oppgrant
• Side by side comparison of pilot program versus new program
• 2007-09 Opportunity Grants Application and Guidelines
• 2007-09 Opportunity Grants for Private Career Schools & Colleges Application and Guidelines
• Model plan – New Opportunity Grant program, Bellevue Community College
• Model year-end pilot report – Peninsula College
• 2006-07 Pilot Colleges Year-End Summary Fact Sheet

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Opportunity Grant program Guidelines

Opportunity Grant Student Eligibility Definition

• Washington resident student as defined in RCW 28B.15.012.
• Enrolled in an Opportunity Grant-eligible program of study.
• Family income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level using the most current guidelines available from the United States Department of Health & Human Services.
• Financial need based on the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid).

Program Requirements

• No student may receive Opportunity Grant funding for more than 45 credits or for more than three years from initial receipt of grant funds in one or a combination of programs. This may include required related courses in a program.
• The student must maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average. If a student's cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0, the student may petition the college. The college has the authority to establish a probationary period until such time as the student's grade point average reaches required standards.
• An Opportunity Grant-eligible program of study needs to be approved by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (see FAQs for program approval criteria).

Funding Requirements

• Student awards for tuition and mandatory fees as well as an additional $1,000 per academic year for educational supplies (prorated for less than full time attendance).
• A college will be able to use $1,500 for each full-time equivalent student enrolled in the Opportunity Grant program out of its allocation. The funds shall be used for individualized support services.

Opportunity Partnership Program

The Opportunity Partnership Program connects Opportunity Grant students with industry mentors and relevant job experience. The goals are enhancing student retention, completion and transition to work.

The SBCTC contracts with the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTECB) to administer the program, which is separate from the Opportunity Grant services. Only students eligible to receive the Opportunity Grant are eligible for the Opportunity Partnership Program. This ensures that students from underserved populations will be participants in the program.

For more information on the Opportunity Partnership Program contact Madeleine Thompson, Workforce Training Board, mthompson@wtb.wa.gov or 360-753-5653.

Opportunity Grant Programs Contact

If you have questions, please contact Ronelle Funk, Policy Associate – Student Services, rfunk@sbctc.edu or 360-704-4397.

 

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