No Worker Left Behind Questions (house, unemployment, college)

[OrangeRush2112]

i was able to sign up for orientation for a program that i was accepted for to start in fall 2009. my questions is this - to qualify it states that if you work (you signing up for nwlb) and you make less than 40k as a family than you qualify. what if i dont work but my spouse makes over 40k? would i still qualify??

[ferndc]

Originally Posted by OrangeRush2112

what if i dont work but my spouse makes over 40k? would i still qualify??

I believe so. Check out the web site here (http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb - broken link).

However, being qualified and actually getting the funding are two different things. My fiance has been through orientation and all the required classes - even had his "entrance interview." But that was over a month ago, and nothing else has transpired. Maybe the program is overwhelmed by all the applicants.

[PeaceChild]

Originally Posted by ferndc

I believe so. Check out the web site here (http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb - broken link).

However, being qualified and actually getting the funding are two different things. My fiance has been through orientation and all the required classes - even had his "entrance interview." But that was over a month ago, and nothing else has transpired. Maybe the program is overwhelmed by all the applicants.

It is definitely being overwhelmed by applicants. I called myself a couple days ago and they said the first opening for an orientation was for October.

Did they require him to apply for Federal aid as part of the program requirements?

[ferndc]

They told him he will have to apply for financial aid, but it hasn't got to that point yet.

[PeaceChild]

Originally Posted by ferndc

They told him he will have to apply for financial aid, but it hasn't got to that point yet.

The sooner he does that the better. Can be done online now. He doesn't need anything to slow down the process.

[rick55]

First I'd like to ask where online one goes to file for financial aid for the No Worker Left Behind program?
I know that financial disclosure is one of the requirements for this program. That's fine, for someone in their early 20's, who hasn't yet established a 401K or IRA, bought and paid for a house or built up a financial "nest egg". Lets consider someone in their mid 50's who has worked for 30+ years and maybe paid off a small home, has a small 401K and managed to sock away a "rainy day" fund to help put a son or daughter through college,only to find him or herself now laid-off from a good job after all those years.
Short of the 59 1/2 age requirement to draw on a retirement plan, these funds are virtually not available without large tax penalties.
On the surface, the requirements to qualify for this program sound good and straight forward for all, i.e. been laid-off, on unemployment, etc.
I'm afraid that the middle aged worker who may have been able to save a little through the years is going to be between a rock and a hard spot! I hope I'm wrong on the financial aid requirements, but unless a person sells their house, uses up all the funds and goes on "the dole", they're never going to qualify for this program until they do so. For those of you who have applied for financial aid and fit this scenario, tell me I'm wrong.