Short-term training scholarship to benefit community members impacted by COVID-19

To help those negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Harper College is introducing the Moving Forward Scholarship for short-term training programs.

The scholarship will benefit community members who have experienced job loss, require a career change, or have delayed college or employment due to COVID-19. It awards tuition for several Continuing Professional Education programs including contact tracing, medicinal cannabis, human resources certification preparation, real estate licensing, strategic planning, substitute teaching, truck driving and veterinary assistant training. Technology-focused programs include big data, cybersecurity, networking and web development.

“Many individuals and families have suffered as a result of COVID-19,” said Cristina Willard, manager of Continuing Professional Education. “This scholarship can be a lifeline for those in need, whether someone has recently lost a job, needs to find new work due to workplace changes, or has just graduated high school or college and is having difficulty finding work.”

Harper’s Student Success Initiatives committee allocated funding to the Moving Forward Scholarship, recognizing the growing need to support community members on the path to economic recovery. Since late March, more than 58 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits for the first time.

Through the Moving Forward Scholarship, Harper aims to help individuals move from unemployment to employment, achieve additional training for a new career, or advance within an existing career. Special consideration will be given in guiding applicants toward relevant academic certificates and degrees to continue their studies. Scholarship recipients will also receive resources on how to conduct a successful job search.

In addition, most CPE programs offer digital badges for participants to share training accomplishments with employers.

To learn more and to complete the application for fall 2020 and spring 2021 courses, please visit harpercollege.edu/pro. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis through spring 2021.