Columbia State Supports Reconnect to Workforce Initiative, Offers Virtual Reconnect Information Sessions
Columbia State supports the Reconnect to Workforce partnership between the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s Tennessee Reconnect program and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development that will assist up to 500,000 Tennesseans claiming unemployment benefits to earn a college degree while fulfilling work search requirements.
Reconnect to Workforce is an initiative to help Tennesseans receiving unemployment benefits to use the Tennessee Reconnect program to earn a college degree or a career or technical certificate. Enrolling full-time through Reconnect will fulfill the work search requirement of unemployment benefits.
“Through the Reconnect to Workforce Partnership, we are thankful to be able to provide the local community with access to information about Tennessee Reconnect by hosting virtual information sessions,” said Joni Allison, Columbia State coordinator of Adult Student Services. “Tennessee Reconnect provides a wonderful opportunity for eligible adults to retool their skills and attend Columbia State tuition-free.”
Tennessee Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship that provides free tuition for adults to attend a community college. The initiative is designed to help adults enter college to gain new skills, advance in the workplace and fulfill lifelong dreams of completing a degree or credential.
To be eligible for Tennessee Reconnect, students must meet the following requirements:
- Haven’t earned an associate or bachelor’s degree.
- Have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year.
- Complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid and be determined as an independent student.
- Be admitted to Columbia State and enroll in a degree or certificate program.
- Must attend at least part-time (6 credit hours).
- Participate in a college success program through a Reconnect Community.
Interested students can attend one of the following virtual Tennessee Reconnect information sessions:
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March 8 |
6 – 7 p.m. |
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March 9 |
5 – 6 p.m. |
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March 11 |
2 – 3 p.m. |
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March 13 |
10 – 11 a.m. |
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March 22 |
6 – 7 p.m. |
|
March 23 |
5 – 6 p.m. |
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March 24 |
2 – 3 p.m. |
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March 29 |
6 – 7 p.m. |
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March 30 |
5 – 6 p.m. |
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April 1 |
2 – 3 p.m. |
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April 3 |
10 – 11 a.m. |
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April 5 |
6 – 7 p.m. |
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April 8 |
2 – 3 p.m. |
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April 12 |
6 – 7 p.m. |
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April 13 |
5 – 6 p.m. |
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April 15 |
2 – 3 p.m. |
To view the full list of steps to apply, or to sign up for an information session, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Reconnect.
For more information, contact Allison at 931.540.2655 or by email at jallison6@ColumbiaState.edu.