Fund Your Training

Lab Four partners with a variety of community organizations and government agencies to provide scholarship and grant opportunities for many of its students. In fact, more than 90% of our current and past students have not only qualified for one or more funding opportunities, but had zero out-of-pocket costs for their entire program. Our Funding Questionnaire is the first step to help you determine what funding options you may qualify for, and our Career Specialists are ready to help you navigate the funding application process.

Complete the Funding Questionnaire now, or find more information on each funding opportunity below:

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Grants available for dislocated workers and unemployed, underemployed, or lo-income individuals who have a High School Diploma or equivalent.

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Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

Funding available to some workers who have lost their jobs or had their hours or wages drastically reduced due to increased imports or a shift in production outside the United States.

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Explore Deferred Tuition

Start with a small down payment and delay the rest of your tuition until 2 months after program completion.

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GROWWTH Grant

Full tuition and fees covered for those who qualify. You even get paid for achieving program milestones, such as completion of training, certification attainment, and job placement.

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Financing and Payment Plans

Options are available for simple, low monthly cost payment plans to make self-funding more manageable.

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Employer Reimbursement

Tuition assistance benefits may be available through your employer, depending on their objectives for recuiting, retention, and productivity.

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Complete the Funding Questionnaire

Funding Questionnaire

Complete the Funding Questionnaire below to help determine what funding option(s) you may qualify for. Then, learn more about your options by clicking the links provided. You can also submit your questionnaire results and request a meeting or call back from one of our Career Specialists!

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

WIOA is the 2014 amendment and reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, which supports primary programs and investments in US employment services, workforce development, adult education, and vocational rehabilitation activities. WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services needed to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. WIOA grants typically target dislocated workers, and low-income, unemployed, or underemployed individuals who have obtained their High School Diploma or equivalent.

Lab Four programs have been listed on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) for Tennessee Local Workforce Investment Areas (LWIA) 9 and 13 the Nashville and Memphis regions, respectively – for many years. We work closely with the local organizations that administer WIOA funding, to stay up to date on their application and assessment requirements, so that we can provide step-by-step guidance through the process.

WIOA funding is targeted toward qualified individuals in three groups – Adults, Youth, and Dislocated Workers.

Adults must either be unemployed or underemployed to qualify for WIOA funding. Definitions of underemployed status may vary, but generally this term is applicable to those making less than $15.00 per hour in a full-time position. Adult participants must also have obtained their high school diploma or equivalent.

Youth participants must be between the ages of 18 and 24. They must also be unemployed or underemployed, and have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent. Though anyone over the age of 18 can also apply for WIOA funding as an adult, the youth track is often a more streamlined application process and may include additional supportive services for youth participants. Approval for WIOA funding as a youth participant may be dependent on demonstrating barriers to employment.

A Dislocated Worker is defined as an individual who:

• Has been terminated or laid off, or has received notification that they will be terminated or laid off
• May be due to permanent closure or substantial layoff
• Is eligible for or has exhausted unemployment insurance
• Has demonstrated an appropriate attachment to the workforce, but not eligible for unemployment insurance and unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation
• Is employed at a facility where the employer has made the announcement that the facility will close within 180 days
• Was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, rancher, or fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community or because of a natural disaster; or
• Is a displaced homemaker who is no longer supported by another family member

When funding is limited, priority for the disbursement of WIOA funding is given to military Veterans and recipients of public assistance such as SNAP or TANF.

Other requirements may include passing the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) or achieving a silver level or higher on the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) exam.

Other Grants and Community Organizations

US Department of Labor Grants

Lab Four is part of a consortium that has been awarded over $40 Million in grant funding from the US Department of Labor since 2011 to provide technical training and employment and entrepreneurship assistance services in Tennessee.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP-ET)

The SNAP Education and Training program is designed to help eligible participants achieve their vocational goals and increase self-sufficiency through funded education, skills training, and supportive services. The program is a combined effort between the state Department of Human Services (TDHS), Department of Labor (TDLWD), and community partnerships. If you are receiving SNAP benefits but not TANF (Families First) cash assistance, and are willing and able to work upon program completion, click here to get in contact with SNAP-ET in your county.

Growing Relational and Occupational Wealth in West Tennessee Households (GROWWTH) Grant

Growing Relational and Occupational Wealth in West Tennessee Households (GROWWTH) is grant program funded through the TN Department of Human Services. The GROWWTH program provides funding for training, job placement assistance, and other supportive services.

The eligibility requirements for this program are detailed below. Documentation must be provided to support grant eligibility. Acceptable Supporting Documentation is listed below, with each eligibility criteria.

GROWWTH Program Eligibility

1. Must be at least 18 years old:

• Driver’s License or other government-issued photo ID (e.g. Military ID, Passport), Birth Certificate

2. Must provide proof of US citizenship or permanent residency:

• Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, US Passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Permanent Resident Card, US Military Card, Letter for Social Security, or DD214

3. Must provide proof of parental or legal guardianship of a child under the age of 18

• Birth Certificate, hospital record of birth, guardianship or adoption paperwork, court order, clinic or doctor records, insurance paperwork with child names as insured, school ID/record/transcript, or verification of high school graduation date

4. Must provide proof of residency in one of the following West Tennessee counties: Benton, Carrol, Chester, Crocket, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley

• Rental, lease, or mortgage document, bank or credit card statement, voter registration card, current utility or phone bill, current IRS documents, or current Tennessee Motor Vehicle Registration or Title

5. Applicants must also meet at least one of the following criteria, with supporting documentation:

• Proof of annual income at or below the federal poverty level
• Paycheck stubs, employer statement, alimony statement, compensation award letter, public assistance records, unemployment income (UI) documents/letter/printout, proof of tax or self-employed Schedule C, Social Security Benefits records/letter, Disability records, Layoff WARN Notice, or tax documents
  .
• Eligible for Medicaid
• Award Letter of Medicaid
  .
  
• Receiving public benefits like Family First or SNAP
• Award Letter, Public Assistance Records, or Database Crossmatch Printout
  .
  
• Unemployed
• Unemployment Award Letter, Proof of Income Tax, Unemployment Income (UI) document, or evidence of Self-Employment (Business License, IRS forms, tax documents)
  .
• Section 8 Housing
• Housing Authority Verification document or voucher
  .
  
• Family eligible for National School Lunch – Free or Reduced
• Approval letter for Verification of Certification (VOC), or copy of voucher

Upskill Mid-South Grant

Upskill Mid-South provides in-demand training to unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers based on industryidentified needs. It is led by the University of Memphis and has a service area covering 42 counties in parts of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Participants in the Upskill Mid-South grant program will have their full tuition and fees covered.  

The eligibility requirements for this program are detailed below. Documentation must be provided to support grant eligibility. Acceptable Supporting Documentation is listed below, with each eligibility criteria. 

Upskill Mid-South Program Eligibility

1. Must be at least 18 years old:

• Driver’s License or other government-issued photo ID (e.g. Military ID, Passport), Birth Certificate
  .

2. Must provide proof of US citizenship or permanent residency:

• Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, US Passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Permanent Resident Card, US Military Card, Letter for Social Security, or DD214

3. Must provide proof of residency in one of the following 42 counties:

Tennessee: Benton, Carrol, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley

Mississippi: Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Lafeyette, Lee, Marshall, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, and Union

Arkansas: Crittenden, Cross, Lee, Mississippi, Phillips, Poinsett, and St. Francis

• Rental, lease, or mortgage document, bank or credit card statement, voter registration card, current utility or phone bill, current IRS documents, or current Tennessee Motor Vehicle Registration or Title
  .

4. Must provide proof of unemployed or underemployed status:

• Unemployed
• Unemployment Award Letter, Proof of Income Tax, Unemployment Income (UI) document, or evidence of Self-Employment (Business License, IRS forms, tax documents)

(or)

• Underemployed (defined as individuals that are working in low wage jobs (making less than $15/hour) or employed part-time, seasonally, or on a temporary basis and need skills training to be marketable to secure a full-time position with benefits and room for advancement.)

Paycheck stubs, employer statement, alimony statement, compensation award letter, public assistance records, unemployment income (UI) documents/letter/printout, proof of tax or self-employed Schedule C, Social Security Benefits records/letter, Disability records, Layoff WARN Notice, or tax documents

Financing and Payment Plans

Ben Franklin Finance is a premier provider in tuition financing, currently serving thousands of student portfolios throughout the United States. Applicants can receive tuition financing for all or part of the cost of their educational program not covered by Title IV, grants, or student loans (gap financing). To apply and for more information, click here.

Lab Four also offers payment plan options directly, with terms from six to thirty-six months, and an average monthly payment of $200.

Employer Reimbursement

If you are currently employed, you may have financial aid options through the company you work for. Tuition reimbursement benefits are often not widely or enthusiastically promoted, but may be available based upon your employer’s objectives for recruiting, retention, and productivity. These benefits can vary from company to company, and even within various divisions of the same company. Make an appointment to speak with your Human Resources representative about your employer’s tuition assistance or reimbursement benefits. You may also be able to find information in your employee handbook.

Community Grants and Scholarship

Lab Four has worked with several local community organizations dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of young adults, low-income individuals, and Veterans transitioning out of military service and into civilian life in Middle and West Tennessee. Many of these organizations include funding for education and training among the supportive services they offer.