Sponsored Programs

Act 101 Students are eligible for the following benefits:

• PA State Resident
• 200% of the Poverty Level
• Enrolled in 6 or More Credits
• Are or Have (Any of the Below):
  
  • Tested into a Developmental Class (MAT 80, MAT 90, ENG 90, DVS 60, DVS 70, DVS 101, DVS 103)
  • ESOL/ESL (English is Not Your First Language)
  • Been Out of Academics 3+ Years
  • A GPA Below 2.0
  • Received a GED

• Access to Act 101 Success Coach
• Access to the Act 101 Textbook Lending Library
• Assistance in Developing and Improving Academic Skills
• Access to Study Skills/ Academic Workshops
• Usage of Act 101 Study Area
• Assistance with Navigating the College System

KEYS Student Support Specialists will work with you and the County Assistance Office (CAO) to see if you may be eligible* for help with:

• Child care funds
• Transportation costs (bus passes, mileage, and repairs)
• Books and school or training supplies

KEYS Student Support Specialists will also connect you to:

• FREE CCAC support services including counseling, academic support, tutoring, and career counseling
• Connections to other community service agencies
• And more! depending on federal/state regulations and funding

* Eligibility is determined by the CAO.

• Attend scheduled appointments with your Student Support Specialist
• Submit weekly attendance sheets
• Meet hours requirements

Current or prospective CCAC students who are receiving TANF or SNAP benefits (or think they may be eligible) should contact the KEYS Coordinator at 412.237.2672 or [email protected].

If you are currently receiving TANF or SNAP, you may also contact your CAO caseworker about a referral to KEYS.

• Perkins Career & Technical Education Student Support Team
  Provides students with academic support services, study groups & workshops, and referrals to other existing college academic resources to boost grades, retention and graduation rates.
• Career Specialists
  Helps students connect students to the job market and secure employment high-demand, high-wage careers.

Instructional Equipment

Over the past three years, CCAC has used Perkins Grant funding for more than $1 million in educational supplies in academic programs that promise strong industry growth and family-sustaining wages. Equipment purchases including:

• Over $100,000 in equipment for Nursing, including simulators, pumps, hospital beds and defibrillators
• Over $550,000 in ultrasound equipment the Digital Medical Sonography program
• Nearly $25,000 in stenography equipment for the Court Reports program
• A $5,700 3-D printer for the Multimedia Program
• Over $90,000 for ventilators and related equipment for the Respiratory Therapy program
• $43,000 for a Fanuc robot for Electronic Engineering Technology
• Over $10,000 for supplies for Disability Resources and Services

Professional Development

Over the past three years, CCAC has used Perkins Grant funds to provide professional development opportunities to staff, students and faculty, including:

• Workshops for Nursing students
• Seminars for female students on non-traditional occupations
• Staff and faculty attendance at state and national conferences such as Integrated Learning Conference, the National Summit on Education Equity, Association of Career & Technical Educations' Vision Conference and the National Career Pathways Conference

CCAC's Perkins Grant staff have created credit transfer agreements that allow well-qualified graduates of Career and Technical high schools to earn college credit for the work completed in high school. More local agreements will be coming on line during the course of Academic Year 22/23.

View the Perkins Grant Credit Transfer Agreements

Perkins Grant funding has enabled CCAC to invest in labor market research tools for students and counselors, including Career Coach, a software program available to students to aid in their job search and career exploration; data includes available openings in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region, wage trends and academic programs at CCAC that provide the necessary credentials for entry-level positions. College counselors can administer the Kuder Journey career assessment tests to help students choose a career path.

Due to federal grant guidelines, the Perkins Grant staff members cannot assist students with developmental coursework. Furthermore, the Perkins Grant does not provide funds directly to students, but instead funds a variety of programs designed to help Career & Technical Education students succeed.