Workforce Ready Grant

Workforce Ready Grant is sponsored by State of Indiana. The Workforce Ready Grant is an Indiana state program that covers tuition and fees for qualifying certificate programs in high-growth fields such as Advanced Manufacturing, Building & Construction, Health & Life Sciences, IT & Business Services, and Transportation & Logistics.

CHE: Workforce Ready Grant State Financial Aid Resources State Financial Aid - By Program The Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant pays the tuition and mandatory fees for eligible high-value certificate programs at Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, Indiana Institute of Technology, or other approved providers.

The grant is available for two (2) years and covers up to the number of credits required by the qualifying program. The grant does not cover courses that do not directly apply to the student's certificate program, and program-specific fees and equipment are not covered. The Workforce Ready Grant is a last-dollar grant, so the award amount may be reduced upon applying the Federal Pell Grant to a student's financial aid package.

Students should inquire about their eligible amount with their college's financial aid office. First-time dependent students (based on the FAFSA dependency status) are not eligible for the Workforce Ready Grant for the 2026-2027 academic year . Only independent students and dependent students who are continuing their program during the 2026-2027 academic year are eligible.

The qualifying high-value certificate programs were selected based on employer demand, wages, job placements and program completion rate. These programs are aligned with Indiana’s highest demand sectors: Transportation & Logistics Institutions of higher education, employers and business interested in serving as a Next Level Jobs training provider can learn how to apply here .

First-time dependent students (based on the FAFSA dependency status) are not eligible for the Workforce Ready Grant for the 2026-2027 academic year . Only independent students and dependent students who are continuing their program during the 2026-2027 academic year are eligible.

To qualify for the grant, students must: Be an Indiana resident and U.S. citizen or ( eligible non-citizen ) Have a high school diploma (or equivalent) but less than a college degree Enroll in a qualifying program at an eligible training provider Enroll full-time (typically four courses) if you are a Dependent Student ** Must have used the Workforce Ready Grant during the 2025-2026 academic year and must continue certification program during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Enroll at least half-time (typically two courses) if you are an Independent Student ** Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress** Meet any other minimum criteria established by the Commission Visit the NextLevelJobs.

org to connect with an eligible training provider Submit a complete and corrected FAFSA (credit-bearing programs) Applicants do not need to meet the April 15th deadline for state financial aid The Workforce Ready Grant is not limited by family income In accordance with federal law, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (Commission) will make any reasonable modification or accommodation to the best of the agency’s ability.

If you require auxiliary aid or service to communicate or to participate in any program, service, or activity, please contact info@che. in. gov .

Notice of needed accommodation(s) should be provided as early as possible to allow time for the Commission to arrange proper resources and support within agency financial and administrative means. To support this commitment, we strive to align the Commission’s website and digital platforms with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2. 1 Level AA.

The agency regularly reviews, assesses, and enhances the accessibility features of its digital resources to improve functionality and user experience. If you encounter difficulty in accessing information on the Commission’ website, or if you have questions or suggestions regarding accessibility, please contact the agency at info@che. in.

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