Perkins Program
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act offers federal funding that supports rigorous Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-tech, high-demand careers. Each semester a limited amount of Perkins CTE Student Support Grant funds may be available to help Richland students overcome specific barriers to success. These funds are contingent upon federal and state allocations.
To be eligible for assistance through the Perkins Program, students must meet all of the following qualifications:
- Be enrolled in a CTE program for at least 12 hours in the academic year;
- Be a member of one or more of the following federally defined underserved populations
- Individuals with disabilities
- Individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including low-income youth and adults,
- Individuals preparing for non-traditional careers (where their gender comprises less than 25% of those employed in that field)
- Single parents, including single pregnant women
- Out-of-workforce individuals
- English learners
- Homeless individuals described in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a)
- Youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system, and
- Youth with a parent who i) is a member of the armed forces (as such term is defined in section 101(a)(4) of Title 10, United States Code) and ii) is on active duty (as such term is defined in section 101(d)(1) of such title);
- Face immediate barriers that put them at risk of dropping out of college
Students who meet these requirements should speak with their Success Coach about available services. Students will need to complete the Perkins CTE Student Support Grant application, available in the Student Success Center.
For more information, students should contact their Success Coach or call the Career Program Support Coordinator at 217.875.7211, Ext. 6295.