IU Kokomo to assist displaced workers with education
Financial assistance to complete a bachelor's or master's degree at IU Kokomo may be available through a federal program to area workers who recently have lost their jobs. The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits allow eligible persons up to two years of paid higher education in order to make themselves more marketable for employment in the region.
In order for IU Kokomo to aid in helping displaced workers, there are several qualifying criteria. Some of them are: If a person has college credit and is close to completing a bachelor's degree or has an associate degree and has the ability to attend school full time.
TAA is a federal program made available to workers who are displaced due to foreign imports or shifts in production out of the country. The program provides benefits to help eligible unemployed workers prepare for and obtain suitable employment. They may be eligible for a variety of re-employment services, job search and relocation allowances and training.
IU Kokomo can help create a plan that will aid in determining a person's eligibility.
"The Trade Act is a U.S. Department of Labor program. The USDOL reviews submitted petitions and determines eligibility," said Valerie Kroeger, assistant communications director for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development in Indianapolis. "The Indiana Department of Workforce Development administers the program for the USDOL."
Final eligibility is determined by the IDWD. The local WorkOne office can provide more information or contact Cindy Heigl, 765-455-9217, toll free 888-875-4485, E-mail: cheigl@iuk.edu.
