[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Today, a college certificate/degree is the high school diploma of yesterday. A few decades ago, a high school diploma was more than enough to obtain a well paying job and even rise to a managerial or even possibly an executive position. However, those days are long gone, and today, a college education is essential in order to succeed in a competitive job market.
E.A.R.N.’s Fill the Gap Program serves low-income adults who are facing financial hardships and unique life circumstances and wish to further their education. While they are highly motivated to reach this education goal, they are unable to pay mandatory tuitions obligations that remain even after state/federal funding assistance (a 10% required funding component). This often occurs after they begin their program (thus taking on initial school debt) placing them at risk of having to drop out (or at a minimum take a “break”) of their education program. This is a direct result of the FASFA required 90/10 required tuition split. The Fill the Gap Program helps to remove obstacles and provide the means necessary to these low-income adults aspiring to improve their lives and pursue their academic goals and ambitions. They are at risk of simply becoming a “statistic” because of financial obstacles vs. a “contributing part of their community.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]