New Training Fund to Help Low-Income Mainers
Go to College/Gain a Skill
Many Maine adults working for low wages wish they could go to college, but can't imagine how.
They know that steady, hard work alone is no longer enough to really make ends meet. But, many
feel that college is out of reach. They have families to support and rent or mortgages to pay,
and they often don’t qualify for college grants or loans.
Now, a new program offers hope for some of these workers. It is called the Competitive Skills
Scholarship. Representative Jim Campbell (R. Newfield) presented the proposed program to the
legislature this spring at the request of Governor Baldacci. It won strong bi-partisan support.
MAIN and other advocates, women's groups and organized labor supported the proposal because it can
help increase economic security for Maine workers with low-income. The business community also
supported it. Businesses see that it can help meet their need for more skilled workers.
Career Centers located in
21 locations throughout Maine will take applications for this new program
beginning in January, 2008. The Department of Labor estimates that the program may be able to
serve about 300 people in its first year.
A person is eligible for the Competitive Skills Scholarship if he or she:
- Is at least 18 years old;
- Does not have a marketable college degree;
- Has income that is less than 200% of the federal poverty level (currently $1,702/month for a
single individual; $2,862/month for a family of 3);
- Wants to enroll in education or training for jobs that are in high demand and pay living wages; AND
- Has the ability to successfully complete the education or training program that
she or he choose.
The new program will help participants pay for educational costs and support services that
are not covered by other funding. The support services can be child care, transportation, or books
and supplies. The program may also help with basic income support for some participants with very
low income. The Department of Labor will issue specific rules for the program this fall.
Find the Career Center nearest
to you or call 1-888-457-8883.
Watch for e-mail alerts from MAIN and future issues of the MAIN Update for more information
about this important new program.
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