Workforce

A+ Scholarship Program | dhewd.mo.gov

Tuition reimbursement for Missouri high school graduates attending participating community colleges or career/technical schools.

Type: Grant Amount: Up to full tuition and fees at eligible Missouri public two-year institutions Deadline: No fixed program deadline; eligibility is active by law and term rules (notably 48 months after high school graduation and correct FAFSA term timing) Location: United States - Missouri

Federal Bonding Program – Free Fidelity Bonds for Hard-to-Place Job Seekers

Free fidelity bonds (insurance policies) that protect employers against employee theft, fraud, or dishonesty for hard-to-place job seekers including people with criminal records, individuals in recovery from substance abuse, welfare recipients, and others who face barriers to employment. Bonds eliminate a major hiring barrier by removing employer risk at no cost to the job seeker or employer.

Type: Benefit Amount: Free fidelity bond coverage of $5,000 to $25,000 for the first 6 months of employment Deadline: Rolling Location: United States

Free Job Training and Housing for Young Adults 16 to 24: Your Complete Guide to Job Corps

If you are 16 to 24, low on cash, and unsure how to turn “I need a job” into “I have a career,” Job Corps might be the most valuable program you have never had fully explained to you. This is not a loan.

Amount: Free training, housing, meals, health care, stipend, and transition bonuses Deadline: Rolling Location: United States

IRS Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Federal tax credit for employers that hire individuals from targeted groups facing barriers to employment. Available for hires who begin work on or before December 31, 2025.

Type: Tax Credit Amount: Up to $9,600 per eligible new hire depending on target group, wages, and hours worked Deadline: Complete IRS Form 8850 on or before the day a job offer is made; submit to the state workforce agency within 28 days of the employee’s start date Location: United States

Kansas Promise Scholarship

Last-dollar scholarship covering tuition, fees, and books for high-demand programs at Kansas community and technical colleges.

Type: Grant Amount: Covers remaining tuition, fees, and required books up to $20,000 lifetime Deadline: Priority deadline each semester varies by campus; applications accepted until funds are expended Location: United States - Kansas

Kentucky Work Ready Scholarship

Last-dollar tuition aid for high-demand technical programs, with strategies for pacing coursework and layering supports.

Amount: Covers tuition for up to 60 credit hours in eligible certificate and associate programs Deadline: See official source for current deadline. Location: United States - Kentucky

North Dakota Career Builder Scholarship

North Dakota workforce scholarship entry that currently resolves to the Commerce homepage rather than a dedicated program page.

Type: Scholarship Amount: Up to $17,000 over two years (archived opportunity record; confirm on the current official page) Deadline: Not published on the current Commerce page. Location: United States - North Dakota

Opportunity Scholarship grows New Mexico college enrollment by over 4% in first increase since 2010 - Reach Higher New Mexico

Last-dollar tuition-free scholarship for New Mexico residents pursuing certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degrees.

Amount: Covers full tuition and fees at public colleges and select tribal institutions Deadline: Rolling; FAFSA and state aid applications recommended by priority dates Location: United States - New Mexico

Pay 50% to 100% of Your Child Care Costs with the CCDF Child Care Subsidy: A Practical Guide for US Families

Child care is the bill that never stops showing up. It arrives whether your car needs tires, your rent just jumped, or you’re trying—heroically—to finish a certificate program at night.

Amount: Varies; typically covers 50%–100% of approved child care costs with sliding co-pays Deadline: Ongoing Location: United States

Ticket to Work 2025: Try Working Without Losing Benefits

A practical guide to SSA's Ticket to Work program, explaining who can use it, how wage-related protection works, and how to avoid common mistakes while testing employment

Type: Benefit Amount: Free services and benefit-continuity protections Deadline: Ongoing Location: United States