Who is eligible for swft scholarships?

Parkland College is pleased to partner with the Illinois Community College Board to provide the Support for Workforce Training Program. Through the SWFT Short-Term Training and SWFT + Healthcare scholarships, Parkland College offers financial, academic, and career support to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workforce through access to education and short-term training programs.

SWFT Short-Term Training Eligibility Guidelines

SWFT is a competitive scholarship program at Parkland College made possible by the Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) grant. In order to be eligible for SWFT funding, applicants must:

  • Reside in the Parkland service area
  • Be 18 and over
  • Be a Parkland student in good standing
  • Be ready to attend classes and complete all SWFT requirements
  • Complete any required certification exams
  • Be eligible to work in the United States
  • Commit to finding employment upon completion of your program
  • A high school credential is not required to be a part of the program.

As a scholarship funded under the WEI grant, SWFT is focused on expanding training opportunities for minority students in at-risk communities. While each application is given individual consideration on a first-come, first-served basis, eligibility preference is given to those who meet at least three of the following criteria:

  • 18 and over
  • Black/African American
  • Female
  • High Poverty Census Tract Address in Parkland service area
  • Low-wage Workers (Under $19 per hour)
  • Unemployed/Underemployed
  • High Financial Need
  • Formerly Incarcerated
  • No HS diploma or GED

Please note that the eligibility guidelines for SWFT + Healthcare differ from the traditional SWFT criteria.

SWFT + Healthcare Eligibility Guidelines

Students must be identified as one or more of the following to be considered for the SWFT + Healthcare scholarship:

  • Low-Income
  • Identified underrepresented minority or ethnicity
  • First-generation college student
  • Entry-level incumbent worker at a healthcare facility

As it is funded by the Pipeline to the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH) grant, SWFT + Healthcare aims to help individuals obtain credentials and degrees that allow them to enter and/or advance their careers in the healthcare industry. Students must be identified as one or more of the following to be considered for the SWFT + Healthcare scholarship:

  • Reside in the Parkland service area
  • Be a Parkland student in good standing
  • Admitted to their Parkland healthcare program prior to receiving a SWFT + Healthcare scholarship
  • Be ready to attend classes and complete all SWFT + Healthcare requirements