America's Promise Grant Is Successful Program at DSLCC   Clifton Forge, VA (Oct. 5, 2018) - Dabney S. Lancaster Community College can boast over 80 new students to campus, almost 60 of which were new to DSLCC for the 2017-2018 academic year, thanks to an innovative new federal program called America’s Promise Grant or AP 220, according to statistics provided by Jenny Wright, Project Director. DSLCC is a partner, along with two out-of-state colleges -- Eastern West Virginia Community College and Allegany College of Maryland -- on the pilot America’s Promise Job Driven Grant Program through the Department of Labor, known as AP220. The AP220 consortium is designed to provide individuals with the opportunity to receive high-quality education and training that leads to industry-recognized credentials and degrees. The program offers tuition assistance to qualifying students based on available funding and ability to meet performance measures as determined by the Department of Labor and AP220 staff. AP220 serves unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers, with priority given to veterans, unemployed workers, and students leveraging other funding sources. The primary goal of the grant is to see students earning a higher wage than the level at which they entered the program. AP220 tracks their students one year after they obtain employment to help them advance in their careers and to ensure the stability of the workforce. Students resided in all areas served by DSLCC, including Bath County, Rockbridge County, Botetourt County, Christiansburg, and parts of West Virginia. The DSLCC students were enrolled in a variety of academic and workforce related courses. AP220 offers year-round workforce development activities for students and the community, including mock interviews, financial stability classes, resume workshops, and many other activities that assist with career advancement. AP220 also offers a monthly newsletter and individualized services for those who are enrolled in the grant. For more information about AP220, contact Shasta Robertson at srobertson@dslcc.edu or visit the College’s website at www.dslcc.edu/academics/ap-220.

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