Foundation Scholarships

Workforce Education administers four funding programs which help qualifying students pay for school.  Our programs include Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, WorkFirst, and Basic Food Employment & Training. 

When students approach our office to apply for one or more of these programs, we also help them identify and apply for additional funding programs on campus or in the community as part of a larger strategy to leverage all resources. Some of those additional programs include, Federal Financial Aid, Workforce Investment Act funds, as well as scholarships offered on TheWashBoard.org. 

As stated in earlier posts, our philosophy in Workforce Education is simple: create options for yourself by applying for as many different funding programs as possible to help pay for school.

In line with this philosophy, we regularly encourage students to apply for scholarships offered through the Green River Community College Foundation.  This is especially the case for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year, as the Foundation will offer over 160 scholarships, most of which are program or need based, and range in amounts from $500 to $3000.

It's easy to apply, too.  Students can fill out an online application (it's only 4 pages), then print it out and return it to the Financial Aid Office in LC 231.  The application deadline for 2011-2012 scholarships is April 29th, 2011.  If you have questions, feel free to call the GRCC Foundation at 253-833-9111 ext 3330 or visit www.greenriver.edu/foundation_scholarships.

Interesting Fact: Over 50% of full-time employees at GRCC make contributions to the Foundation, giving over $52,000 last year.

Prof Tech Profile #5: Information Technology

Today's Prof Tech Profile is on the Information Technology Program and features a brief Q and A with esteemed faculty member Alan Carter.

Hi Alan, thanks for joining us on the blog.  In your opinion, what type of person is a good fit for the Information Technology Program at GRCC?

ALAN:  Someone who has a strong interest in working with technology and working with people, and who enjoys learning new things because technology is continually changing.

Students can choose from a wide variety of IT-related degree and certificate programs at GRCC.  How can prospective students interested in IT determine what degree or certificate is best for them?

ALAN:  I think that the very best way to accomplish that is for students to come discuss their interests with an IT instructor.  That said, if students like helping others with their computer difficulties, they could pursue the Computer Support Specialist degree or the IT Help Desk certificate.  If students think they would like working primarily on network servers, they could pursue the IT Networking degree.  If students think they would like to work with routers and switches to maintain the network infrastructure, then they could take the IT Networking Infrastructure degree. 

Any other IT-related degrees you would like to highlight?

ALAN:  If students plan to continue on to a bachelor's degree, then the IT Systems AAS-T degree is their best choice.  The IT Systems degree was designed so that students could go to work immediately after finishing their IT degree, and is also optimized for transfer.  This degree is very general in nature, and prepares students for a wide variety of roles in the workplace. 

How can prospective students learn more about the field of IT in general?

ALAN:  The best way for them to learn more is to have them visit one of the IT instructors during their office hours!  We are always happy to help a student learn more about IT, and the careers that they might choose. 

Funding Tip!  The following Workforce Education funding streams support the IT Program at GRCC: Worker Retraining, BFET, and WorkFirst.