Unemployed?

California Community Colleges provide affordable career training to get you back into the workforce quickly and financial aid is available.
With unemployment at an all-time high and jobs being hard to find, this may be a good time to consider going back to school. As the state’s largest provider of affordable career training, the California Community Colleges quickly retrain the unemployed to work in emerging jobs that provide good wages and benefits.

Education = More Secure Jobs and Higher Wages
Students who earn a vocational degree or a certificate see their earnings almost double after three years on the job. The fastest growing jobs in California require more than a high school education, but not necessarily a four-year degree.
Community colleges offer hundreds of educational and training opportunities for students in growing fields such as business, advanced manufacturing, health care, computer science, electronics, biotechnology, and police and fire science. Many also offer apprenticeships with local businesses so you can get hands-on training.

Getting Started
Visit your local community college to decide what type of career training meets your needs.  To find the community college nearest you, enter your zip code in the “Get Help Now” box. Before registering for classes, contact your local One Stop Career Center to make sure you can continue to receive unemployment benefits while enrolled in the community college program you have chosen. One Stop Career Center locations can be found at servicelocator.org.

Financial Aid is Available Year-Round
At the California Community Colleges financial aid is available year-round to help cover the cost of fees, books, supplies, and sometimes even living expenses. Financial aid awards can be significant. The Federal Pell Grant program can provide up to $5,550 for education-related costs.  For more information about the different types of financial aid available, click here. 

We encourage all students to apply for aid, even if you think you may not be eligible.  Enrolling full-time may give you access to more financial aid and will allow you to complete your education and get out into the workforce faster.

Applying for Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid is not difficult if you are prepared and well-informed.  To apply for federal, state and community college financial aid programs students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

You may be eligible for “Special Conditions” or “Special Circumstances” which allow students to have their income adjusted for financial aid purposes if you are now receiving unemployment.  Talk to your financial aid office to make sure you understand your options.