Who is eligible for swft scholarships?

SWFT is a competitive scholarship program at Parkland College made possible by the Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) grant. It is the scholarship’s goal to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workforce by providing access to education to those often out of reach of resources.

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

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:

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

Additionally, all applicants must:

  • 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