Federal stimulus money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will be helping students at area colleges this semester.
Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc. has launched a program in partnership with Iowa Central Community College, Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg, Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, and Buena Vista University's main campus and centers to provide funding to a number of students enrolled at the schools during the spring semester of 2010.
"This is a unique program that will provide assistance to qualifying students, while allowing us to generate a partnership with three community colleges and BVU," said Ron Ludwig, executive director of UDMO.
The funding will provide scholarships and internships to students enrolled at the schools, Ludwig said.
Each school will receive approximately $35,000, for a total of almost $140,000 in assistance for students in need.
"We had to design a plan for how these funds were going to be used," Ludwig said. "We've partnered with the colleges and worked with them to help target individuals who fell within poverty guidelines who will benefit most from these scholarships or internships."
Ludwig said the program will help those individuals become more eligible for employment. Qualifying students must be scheduled to graduate spring or summer 2010, and have intentions of seeking full-time employment. They must also meet certain income guidelines and grade-point averages.
"This was designed for people who are completing their final year or semester of school," Ludwig said. "We want to help them with selecting a career and making sure they are getting the best opportunities out of their career selection."
Ludwig said each school was allowed to designate their own need guidelines to determine who is eligible for the program, and distribute the funds as needed.
"We felt that each school is the expert on who is eligible on their own campuses," he said.
Locally, UDMO Job Advocate Amy Lohmeier, of the Fort Dodge office, said the application process is still under way at Iowa Central.
The program is available until Sept. 30.
"It is only a one-year program now," said Ludwig. "But we're hoping the success of it will allow us to continue this program in the future. We've had a great deal of interest and enthusiasm with each school. It's been a wonderful opportunity for a partnership between a community action agency and colleges where our action is to help their graduates become employed."
Contact Emilie Nelson at (515) 573-2141 or enelson@messengernews.net