NAMPA, Idaho (CBS2) — Applications for Idaho's Launch grants open Oct. 3 for graduating high school students.
The legislature approved the expanded Launch program this session. Gov. Brad Litte wants students to take advantage of it as the date to start applying approaches.
High school graduates pursuing in-demand careers will be eligible for grants of up to $8,000 or 80 percent of tuition and fees.
"I love it. It's really great. I'm a person that definitely likes hands-on learning," said Grace Wontorcik.
She's in her first year of a two-year welding program at the College of Western Idaho. The program costs about $13,000 in total.
After applying for scholarships and FAFSA, she still has to pay about half of that out of pocket. To afford it, she works four summer jobs.
"I work my butt off throughout the whole entire summer just so that I can pay for college, and then I also work two jobs during the year, as well as taking 16 credits, and it can be done, but it is extremely exhausting," she said.
Students like Grace are who this program is meant to help.
"We want all our young people, that's been my goal from the get-go, to have the best possible opportunity to stay here and to choose to stay in Idaho," said Gov. Brad Little.
Sponsors of the legislation call it a workforce investment program that would help fill good-paying jobs here in Idaho.
To qualify for Idaho Launch, students must:
- Be a graduate, class of 2024 and beyond, from an Idaho high school, home school, or GED program
- Be an Idaho resident
- Be enrolled in or have applied to an eligible Idaho institution for an apprenticeship, job training, community college, or university program that leads to an in-demand career.
- Begin enrollment by the Fall semester after graduation
Such in-demand careers include healthcare, teaching, computer science and engineering.
Grace isn't eligible for the program since it's just now coming online, but she's excited for those who are.
"I always thought that, oh, I have to be the perfect student, I have to be straight A's, I have to be perfect in order to get even noticed and handed a dime, so it's great that it's you just graduate," Wontorcik said.
Her younger siblings will be able to apply. With that extra help, they likely will not have to go through the same financial hardships she's going through now.
"It's going to take some weight off their shoulders, for sure," she said.
Applications are due by Nov. 30. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The program has enough funding to offer awards to about half of Idaho seniors. Priority will be to students seeking training, certifications or degrees for in-demand careers. The Idaho Workforce Development Council determines those careers each year.
For more information on those in-demand careers, click HERE, and click HERE to sign up to get notified when high school seniors can apply.
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