[scarabchuck]

Okay, maybe I misunderstood how much money was involved. And yes I did have some "homework" to do. The funny thing is my previous job was on their list, once I saw that i kind of lost some faith in the program. I'm in Macomb county.

[Bhaalspawn]

You don't have to pay any of this back? I suppose that the trick is to figure out which training results in the best bang-for-your-buck. Which of the one and two year degrees will put you in a situation where you might actually be able to get $30-$35,000/year plus benefits.

[scrabblegirl]

Let me start with the disclaimer that I'm just starting out with NWLB and am not an expert. I could be wrong, but this is info based on how I understand it. You really need to contact the Michigan Works office to find out specifics and how to research wage info.

I'd say the hottest track appears to be Registered Nurse. I went to the informational meeting at OCC and there is a waiting list BUT if you work hard and have excellent grades you go to the top of the list. Not sure how it is in other parts of the state.

Peter B gave the link to the site with all of the available programs within this thread. Once you find a program you like, you have to do the research and show them that it is high-demand in your area.

Oh, and for anyone reading about this program for the first time, you have to fill out a FAFSA to see if you qualify for the regular student aid before they allow you into the NWLB program anyway. If you're on unemployment, you may qualify for Federal grants and loans for 2010 because your 2009 income will probably be much lower than usual. So even if you're going for an associates through NWLB, you could possibly get better funding through FAFSA next year and go for a bachelors degree, I would think.

[Smooth23]

I'm going to school through NWLB. I paid the first year and a half out of pocket, then finally got accepted to NWLB once I entered the Radiography program at the local CC. I would be concerned with starting to recieve money from them if you have it listed to go into RN or Radiography or something that involves a stiff competition to get into the program because I would not doubt if they state says you no longer qualify if you don't get accepted into the program. Don't think you're going to automatically get into a program either, RN and other health programs regularly take 20 or so people a year with over a hundred applicants.

All that being said, NWLB is good, especially considering you can get it while still getting unemployment.

[phogstenjr]

Hello,

I am also going to school (Macomb Community College) through NWLB. I have earned 44 credits so far (I started school in January 2008. The program not only pays for your tuition but it also pays for your books and pays you $7.00 per day for each day you attend class.

Paul

[OrangeRush2112]

i wanted to use the nwlb for a film course that is only a year program. seems good since this past year jenny from the block has been building up the media hype that our state will see lots of studios filming here. well, i inquired about it and was told that oakland county will not fund it nor will wayne county. nwlb states that its focused on emerging sectors or established sectors that continue to grow. isnt the film industry one of those??? what a joke - they only want to cover the jobs they want you to fill. i wonder if i applied as a nail technician or an animal breeder - wow! because thats what i want to go into. who knew the state would know exactly what i needed. (insert sarcasm here)

[wacker57]

I have been off for about 4 months now so i may have shot myself in the foot. Went to the orientation a couple of months ago and came out with little info. Does NWLB pay for a online school in pharmacy Tech? A school like Penn Foster or Ashworth? Also do i forfeit my unemployment if i take the NWLB money?

Wacker57

[JDUB20]

Does anyone know if you can collect unemployment benefits the entire time you are going to school under the NWLB program? The government had a similar program 12 years or so ago under NAFTA that paid for up to 2 years of school and allowed you to collect unemployment the entire time PROVIDED you were in school full-time and year round. We had waiver forms that we had to get signed by the professors and fax them in before we called MARVIN. With the delays in the NWLB program, it's impossible to finish your schooling before your unemployment runs out. Also, I'm considering a medical degree which requires 40+ hour weeks of clinicals along with caring for 2 school age children as a single father. This would be nearly impossible without some type of unemployment income. Any input from someone who has gotten this far in the program would be greatly appreciated.

[SnowPrincess]

Originally Posted by Peter B

If you are not strong in Math, you will have a very difficult time with much of the coursework. Math is one of my strong skills so it came pretty easily.

Hey this is a field I have been interested in for years. I have 3 kids and i choose to stay home and take care of them now that my "baby" is 8 I am ready to get my a$$ off the couch so to speak and start looking at getting training in this field.

I was curious how hard the math really was? If you can understand Algebra are you OK or is it way more complicated than that?

I am off to research the links and see of I qualify for NWLB.

[jwcd09]

I have read through the faq's for the No Worker Left Behind Porgram and it states that it is a one-time offer and that you must complete your training within four years of starting the program. Does anyone know what happens if you don't finish your program within the 4 years? Do you have to pay the money back if you don't complete your program?