New grant offers students funding for short-term certificates that lead to in-demand jobs

Cincinnati State has launched a new Short-Term Certificate Grant Program, made possible by a $349,400 grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Cincinnati State and other Ohio colleges have been working with the state to develop solutions to financial aid challenges for short-term certificate programs. The grant program applies to certificates that typically take less than a year to complete, but do not qualify for federal financial aid.

Cincinnati State offers several short-term certificate programs that lead to in-demand jobs in health care, manufacturing, business, and other fields.

The new Short-Term Certificate Grant Program helps address the challenge of paying for short-term training by providing grants of up to $1,000 to cover tuition and fees for the eligible certificate programs.

“Our goal is for these grants to help hundreds of local residents get started in a new career or earn a promotion where they are working,” said Amy Waldbillig, Vice President of Workforce Development. “Many of the short-term certificate programs include college credits, so students can also get a great start on working toward an associate’s degree.”

To be eligible for a Short-Term Certificate Grant, potential students must be Ohio residents and meet qualifications for financial need based on federal guidelines. The College will help potential students determine if they meet the eligibility requirements.

For more information about the program and to see a list of the eligible certificates, visit www.cincinnatistate.edu/ShortTermCertificateGrant or call the Workforce Development Center at (513) 569-1643.

Information provided by Richard Curtis, Interim Media Coordinator, Cincinnati State