You can collect unemployment & go to school in NJ. There are several programs. All require individual interviews & applications. Whether or not you can take online courses varies with counties [!]. In most programs you do not have to be available for work when it is an
approved program & you are making satisfactory progress. What is approved varies with the programs. Some programs don't get their $ from the state if they don't place you. They all have different criteria & application processes. They are worth jumping through hoops for, but the devil is in the details.
I took 2 courses under tuition waiver. I was not required to look for work while making required progress, but I did anyway. You never know when a good job becomes available.
From NJ DOL website:
Smart STEPS The Supplemental Workforce Development Benefits Program (Smart STEPS) provides replacement Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) cash assistance and support services benefits for individuals pursing a two- or four-year degree granting program from an accredited college or university. WFNJ recipients can participate fully in their college education without worrying about the WFNJ time limit and work requirements.
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Trade Assistance Act Designed to provide reemployment services to workers who have lost jobs as a result of imports from overseas and shifts of production to other countries due to foreign completion. Eligible workers may also receive classroom and on-the-job-training, trade readjustment allowances (TRA), and relocation and job search payments.
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Workforce Development Partnership Act (WDP) Provides individual training grants of up to $4,000 to dislocated and displaced workers. While in training you can still collect your unemployment insurance and may be eligible for additional benefits while in training.
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Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Provides training grants to eligible disadvantaged and dislocated workers. These grants average about $4,000 to cover the cost of tuition and you can continue to collect unemployment insurance, welfare or food stamps while you attend school.
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Federal Pell Grant Program The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post-baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education.
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Career Advancement Voucher Program (CAVP) Provides an education or training opportunity for post-Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients who are employed. If eligible, you can receive a voucher for up to $4,000 to cover the cost of tuition.
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Tuition Waiver This program is a joint effort with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) and the Commission on Higher Education. A Tuition Waiver enables eligible unemployed customers to enroll, tuition free, in an appropriate course of instruction at public colleges and universities in New Jersey. The course should provide you with identifiable skills that will lead to gainful employment. The tuition free courses can only be attended if such course has vacant seats.
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