 This video will discuss funding options for students. Funding is often a critical barrier, and even the perception of lack of funding can keep students from pursuing post-secondary education. Washington students are fortunate to have a variety of federal, state, and local funding options that can be braided to fund a student's pathway, from basic education to a baccalaureate degree. Funding for students has to be built with the pathways approach in mind. There are many potential funding sources available to students, but they are not always packaged with the student experience in mind. Providers need to work with federal, state, and local resources to make a college education accessible and affordable for all. Some of the most critical resources are listed on this slide. First, we'll review each area and then see how they work together to comprehensively fund a student's journey from basic education for adults to college degrees. Ability to Benefit is a provision within the Higher Education Act that gives students seeking a high school credential access to Title IV federal student aid like Pell Grants. This allows more students to co-enroll in college and high school completion, saving them time and money as they seek living wage employment and bringing equity to the college classroom. In order to become eligible, students must be enrolled in a Title IV eligible career pathway program, while the institution must meet a range of criteria, including that a student can earn a high school diploma as part of the program and that the student receives navigational services. Approved iBest programs meet all of the ability to benefit requirements. Students must also either achieve a cut score on an approved placement exam or earn six college credits. It is critical then that programs work with students to identify funding for the first quarter so that they can earn the six credits needed for ability to benefit. The nationally recognized Washington College Grant, formerly the State Need Grant, makes education and training beyond high school affordable. Eligible students have a household income that is 100% of the state's median family income, with funding guaranteed for eligible students. The maximum award amount will cover full tuition at any approved or eligible in state public college or university, including community or technical colleges. Amounts vary based on income, family size, and the school or program attended. The Washington College Grant is an essential grant for pre-college students looking to go to college. Because it is an entitlement, no eligible student will be turned away. DACA students can be eligible, and students do not need a high school credential in order to be eligible. The Opportunity Grant program helps low-income students complete up to one year of college and a certificate in a high-wage, high-demand career. All professional, technical iBest programs receive Opportunity Grant approval as well, which means that iBest students can access the Opportunity Grant to help pay for their college. Funding is provided for tuition and fees up to 45 credits, one year full-time, as well as funding for required books and supplies up to $1,000. There are many workforce education funding streams available for students, including Work First, Basic Food Employment and Training, or BFAT, Worker Retraining, Title I, and Perkins Funds. Some workforce funding can pay for both program costs and student tuition, fees, and books. Workforce education funding is complex, and it is recommended that you meet with your workforce education colleagues on campus to determine how co-enrollment can benefit students. This slide puts all of the resources you've learned about in a progressive format so that you can see how each funding source can serve a student. Students can begin in basic skills for $25 per quarter and access a variety of programming designed to get them into college pathways. iBest gives them access to the most resources. For example, if a student is co-enrolled in iBest and High School Plus, they can access the Washington College Grant from their first quarter of studies. Students can then continue on Opportunity Grant for the first year of their studies. And the Washington College Grant and Ability to Benefit all the way to two and even four-year degrees. Please explore the additional resources available in the resources section of this Canvas module for more information on student funding. Of particular relevance to this video are the following documents and links. SBCTC Ability to Benefit webpage, Washington College Grant webpage, Opportunity Grant webpage, IELCE webpage.