Finish Line Grants Q&A as of October 1, 2021
The following document answers frequently asked questions about Finish Line Grants. This
document will be updated regularly with changes and further questions. Please read through
the entire document or use the topics list to find the section related to your specific question.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) and
the North Carolina Community College System office continue to refine materials and
processes. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about the Finish Line Grants
program that are not addressed below, please contact the Finish Line Grants Coordinator
at DWS.
Note to Workforce Development Boards (WDB): This document is intended to assist
boards when analyzing and considering questions and issues surrounding Finish Line
Grants; however, it does not supersede any policy statement or guidance promulgated
by federal or state agencies. All applicable local board policies must be followed.
Topics:
A. Finish Line Grants General Information
B. Student Eligibility for Finish Line Grants
C. Covered Costs Under the Finish Line Grants Program
D. Implementation and Processes
E.
WIOA-Specific Questions
A. Finish Line Grants General Information
1) What are Finish Line Grants?
Finish Line Grants are grants of up to $1,000 awarded to community college students
who are on the cusp of completing their education or training and are faced with an
unanticipated financial hardship that may prevent them from doing so. Too often,
financial emergencies—like unexpected healthcare costs, childcare expenses, or car
breakdowns—prevent students from completing their programs. Finish Line Grants are
awarded to students facing these unforeseen challenges. Grants can be used for course
materials, housing, medical needs, dependent care, or other financial hardships that
students face through no fault of their own.
2) When did the program launch?
The first Finish Line Grants were available to community college students in Fall 2018.
3) Are Finish Line Grants available at all community colleges?
Yes. All 58 community colleges in North Carolina have partnered with their local
Workforce Development Board to apply for funding. T he community college, Workforce
Development Board staff, and NCWorks Career Center staff—the “Partnership”—work
together to administer the Finish Line Grants program.
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4) Why does this program only apply to community college students?
Governor Cooper’s proposed budgets in both 2018 and 2019 provided funding for
Finish Line Grants to be made available for students at four-year public and private
institutions, in addition to community college students. As the General Assembly failed to
fund the Finish Line Grants program, Governor Cooper has made available up to $7
million of federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds that will
specifically target community college students.
5) How quickly will a student be able to get a Finish Line Grant?
Students should be able to receive a Finish Line Grant within three business days upon
submitting all documentation required by the Partnership. Partnerships should structure
the student application and review process to ensure grants are distributed as soon as
possible after it is determined that a student is eligible to receive the grant.
6) Which entity will receive and disburse this funding?
The local Workforce Development Board receives funding and serves to oversee
applicable disbursements as soon as possible after approval of the request and is
responsible for disbursing the grants on behalf of the students. The initial funding
amount may be all, or a portion, of the amount requested. Subsequent funding will be
possible in the same school year depending on Partnership needs and availability of
funds.
7) How much money is available to fund the Finish Line Grants Program?
Up to $7 million of federal funds from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(WIOA) is available for Finish Line Grants in the 2018-19 thru 2021-2022 school years.
8) What is the source of this funding?
Funding for the Finish Line Grants program comes from federal WIOA Title I funds.
9) Is this funding recurring?
In the past, Governor Cooper has proposed recurring funding to make the Finish Line
Grants program ongoing, including funding for students in four-year college and
university programs. If the legislature fails to fund this budget proposal, future funding is
contingent upon availability of WIOA Title I funds.
10) How much funding will be available for individual students?
The maximum grant per student per semester is $1,000. At the community college and local
Workforce Development Board partnership’s discretion, students may be eligible for grant
awards in more than one semester. Partnerships may choose to use other available
funds to provide additional support to students who receive Finish Line Grants.
11) Is there a designated amount of Finish Line Grants funds per community college or per
local workforce area?
No. The intent of the Finish Line Grants program is to serve the entire state in an
equitable manner. The Division of Workforce Solutions will review funding requests
and expenditure rates to maintain an equitable distribution.
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12) How does a student apply for funding?
Students can contact the main point of contact listed for their community college here:
https://ncjobready.nc.gov/finish-line-grants-contact-info. Additionally, students can
contact their financial aid office, local Workforce Development Board, or NCWorks
Career Center to inquire about Finish Line Grants applications.
For those partnerships without a co-located NCWorks Career Center on campus, it is
strongly suggested to make a staff member available part-time to students on campus
based on need and/or by establishing a process that allows for all necessary information
to be consistently collected by a campus representative who then submits it to the
NCWorks partner. Significant travel time can be an impediment to access, especially for
students who lack reliable transportation.
13) Who is the Finish Line Grants contact person at the local community college?
Main points of contact for each community college partnership can be found here:
https://ncjobready.nc.gov/finish-line-grants-contact-info.
B. Student Eligibility
1) Who is eligible for Finish Line Grants?
In order to be eligible for a Finish Line Grant, a student must:
•
Be enrolled in a North Carolina community college;
•
Be in good academic standing as defined by the community college. Threshold may not
be higher than a 2.0 grade point average; and
•
Have completed at least 50% of the degree or credential program (or be enrolled in the
courses that will constitute 50% completion).
Individual Partnerships may choose to include additional criteria such as enrollment in
programs providing training for high-demand occupations. While Partnerships have
broad discretion to choose additional enrollment criteria for Finish Line Grants,
Partnerships are encouraged not to restrict students enrolled in certain programs.
Eligibility should include students in as many educational and training pathways as
possible.
2) Can Finish Line Grant funds be used to pay the student account debt of a person
attempting to return to college?
No. The purpose of the Finish Line Grants program is to assist current students who have
completed (or are enrolled in) at least 50% of their degree or credential program. (See
Item #14 in B. Student Eligibility which defines “an enrolled student”). Finish Line
Grants are not awarded to pay outstanding debt nor late fees incurred.
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3) Can someone from out-of-state who attends a North Carolina Community College
be eligible? Can someone from a local workforce area attending a community
college in another local workforce area be eligible?
Sometimes. WIOA Title I funds do not have residency requirements; however, individual
Workforce Development Boards will determine eligibility of out-of-area residents. The
Finish Line Grants Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should address any local
restrictions related to residency.
4) Are students enrolled in college transfer programs eligible for Finish Line Grants?
Sometimes. It is a local decision regarding the inclusion of college transfer students.
Partnerships have broad discretion to choose enrollment criteria for Finish Line Grants
because local leaders know what works best in their communities; however, Partnerships
are encouraged to serve college transfer students whenever possible.
5) Will NCWorks Online enrollment criteria use income to keep students from
participating in Finish Line Grants?
No. The U.S. Department of Labor continues to request information about family income,
even when income is not a basis for program eligibility. Local Partnerships may use one
of the three approaches included on the NCWorks Online Staff Resources page to
address Finish Line Grants participant income.
6) Does the 50% completion requirement include the current enrolled semester?
Yes. Community colleges count the current semester classes in which a student is enrolled
toward the 50% completion requirement. It is the responsibility of the community colleges
to verify that student applicants meet the requirement.
7) May local partnerships specify the training areas of students who receive Finish Line
Grants?
Yes, although Partnerships are strongly encouraged to make grants available to students
enrolled in as many training program areas as possible. Partnerships may specify
additional requirements for Finish Line Grant recipients such as requiring students to be
enrolled in programs of study that lead to high-demand occupations.
8) If a student applicant is pursuing a double major, does that student have to be 50% of
the way through both majors to be eligible for Finish Line Grants?
It depends. Local Partnerships may make the final decision on this issue; however, it is
likely that if the student has completed 50% of one of the programs or majors, the student
is eligible to apply for Finish Line Grants.
9) If a student already has a degree and is enrolled in another program, is this student
eligible for Finish Line Grants?
Yes, this student is eligible. Having an existing degree is not a disqualification.
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10) Are students enrolled in short-term programs that lead to a credential, and likely
employment, eligible?
Maybe. Students in short-term programs are likely eligible; however, some local
Partnerships may have set program restrictions and students should check with their
community college and/or local Workforce Development Board.
11) Are students enrolled in more than one community college eligible?
Maybe. Students enrolled in more than one community college are likely eligible;
however, some local Partnerships may have set restrictions and students should check
with their community college and/or local Workforce Development Board.
12) What happens when students have valid financial hardships and need but have not
completed 50% of their program?
Unfortunately, these students are not eligible for Finish Line Grants. They should receive
referrals for available assistance at their community colleges. Whenever Finish Line Grants
cannot be granted to a student, staff should connect students with other options at the
community college or elsewhere.
13) Is the 2.0 GPA based on the major or is it a cumulative GPA?
This should be a local decision. Decisions should be made in the best interest of the
student.
14) What is considered an ‘enrolled student’?
For Finish Line Grant eligibility, students are considered enrolled after they have
registered and have paid for or have arranged for payment (e.g., financial aid, payment
plan, etc.) of tuition/registration fees. For example, can a student registered for
upcoming classes apply now for Finish Line Grants if school is not currently in session?
If a student has registered and paid for, or arranged payment for, upcoming classes, this
student can apply and receive Finish Line Grants assistance before the start of next
semester classes.
15) Will students enrolled in summer classes be eligible for Finish Line Grants?
Yes. Though the “summer term” is considered a “semester” for Finish Line Grants
purposes, the amount a student can receive is limited to $2,000 in an academic year (Fall
– Spring); however, local Partnerships may determine there are extenuating
circumstances that would allow the student to receive up to $3,000 for the 3 terms (Fall,
Spring, and Summer). With the average of the distributed grants being much less than
$1,000, most eligible students could receive a grant in each of the three terms if needed
and not reach the $2,000 limit.
16) Do outstanding fees such as library fines need to be paid before a student can
receive Finish Line Grants?
No. Student eligibility for Finish Line Grants is not dependent on the status of other
outstanding payments. (See Item #2 in B. Student Eligibility regarding outstanding debt.)
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17) If a student applies for a Finish Line Grant because money is needed to pay a bill,
does there have to be an unanticipated hardship associated with qualifying for a
Finish Line Grant award?
Yes, explanation must be given in the student’s WIOA case notes as to the fact an
unexpected circumstance occurred and the nature of that unexpected circumstance.
Students can attest to the emergency, for example, “spouse’s job hours were cut back this
month,” without having spouse’s employer provide a letter. Thorough notation in the
student’s WIOA file and following local Workforce Development Board, state, and federal
policies are sufficient to document the unexpected event impacting student’s ability to
continue.
18) Month after month during the semester, we have students returning for the same
type of request. At what point is this no longer an emergency?
The intent of Finish Line Grants is to assist with unanticipated hardships. As noted in the
August 2018 ‘Finish Line Grant Expenditures’ document, “Care must be given to be sure
that the expenditure solves a short-term problem…”. Local staff working with students
are in the best position to assess the total situation. When Finish Line Grants are not the
appropriate resource, local partnerships are encouraged to work with students through
referrals and connections with other avenues of assistance.
C. Covered Costs Under Finish Line Grants Program
There are specific costs/expenses permitted for Finish Line Grant funding. Contact the local
area Workforce Development Board with questions.
1) Some career advisors working with Finish Line Grants have expressed concern
about what constitutes an “emergency” and may be using a narrower definition
than intended. What is the Finish Line Grants initiative definition of a qualifying
emergency?
A Finish Line Grants emergency is defined as: Any unforeseen circumstance that
occurs resulting in the potential disruption of a student’s ability to complete a current
degree/certification.
Finish Line Grants are for unanticipated financial hardships that impede a student’s
ability to stay enrolled in a community college. Finish Line Grants are intended to assist
as many students as possible without imposing restrictive interpretations of what
constitutes an emergency. Staff directly working with each individual student can best
assess that student’s situation with the goal of putting the student first while following
applicable funding source requirements and local Workforce Development Board
policies.
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2) Can Finish Line Grant funds be used to pay the student’s tuition, fees, or books?
Yes. If the student’s unanticipated hardship has negatively impacted the student’s ability
to pay for tuition, fees, or books, then the Partnership may approve the use of a Finish
Line Grant for tuition, fees, or books; however, it is not the intent of Finish Line Grants
to function as scholarships for tuition, fees, or books. For example, if a current student is
within 50% of completing a credential and has established a payment plan for tuition, yet
the student’s car needs a repair resulting in not having sufficient money to make a tuition
payment, a Finish Line Grant could be used to pay the tuition due at that time.
3) Please elaborate on medical needs that are appropriate for Finish Line Grants.
Finish Line Grants are appropriate for medical needs that jeopardizes a student’s ability
to complete a degree/certification, while adhering to local Workforce Development
Board policies. When medical needs are long-term and require additional financial
resources, the staff working with the student should ensure that other resources have
been identified for ongoing medical issues.
4) Can Finish Line Grants be used for student family members?
In some circumstances, yes. For example, if a dependent child of a student encounters an
unanticipated event like a broken arm resulting in an emergency hospital bill thereby
affecting the student’s ability to complete a degree/certification and local Workforce
Development Board policies are met, a Finish Line Grant may be used to help with that
hardship.
5) Can Finish Line Grants be used for a current rental housing payment or a utility
bill with no past due balance, no disconnection, and no eviction notice?
Yes, a Finish Line Grant can be used for a current rent payment or other bills, if the
eligible student has experienced an unanticipated hardship that impacts the student’s
ability to complete a course of study and local Workforce Development Board policies
are met.
Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.441, Finish Line Grants cannot be used to pay late fees. They are
disallowable costs. Local Workforce Development Boards need to ensure the participant
has money available to pay any remaining fees or approach another agency that can
assist with those specific charges. Waiting for past due notices may result in damage to a
student’s credit and possibly generate additional fees.
6) If a student has applied for a Finish Line Grant to assist with a utility bill that is not
in the student's name, but is in the spouse's name, can a Finish Line Grant be
utilized for the student?
Yes, if the bill is for services at the student’s residence, it is valid for Finish Line Grants
consideration regardless of whether the spouse, parent, or student is listed on the utility
record. Any approval must adhere to local Workforce Development Board policy.
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7) A car repair is needed for student’s primary transportation due to an unexpected
event/accident and there is a $500 insurance deductible, can a Finish Line Grant
pay for the insurance deductible portion to keep the car on the road and enable the
student to go to class?
Yes. This is an unexpected event.
8) A student has been determined eligible for a Finish Line Grant, but his repair bill is
for more than the $1,000 available from Finish Line Grants. May $1,000 be awarded
to apply towards the total cost of repair?
Yes. The Finish Line Grant does not need to cover the entire cost of an emergency. It is
intended to help with any eligible cost up to $1,000 per semester. The staff working with
the student should ensure that other resources have been identified for the repair balance
and that the repair entity completes the repair and accepts the Finish Line Grants
payment along with the remaining payment from another source.
9) Can licensure exams be funded through Finish Line Grants?
Yes. Finish Line Grants may be used for required testing related to obtaining licensure,
certification, and/or completion of requirements for course of study if student is eligible
for Finish Line Grants and if local, state, and federal policies are followed. Prior to
graduation, the licensure exam is considered a continuation of the course of study.
10) Is paying for internet an allowable cost through Finish Line Grants?
Yes. If a local determination is made that an unforeseen event prevents a student from
paying a month of internet service or setting up internet service needed for current
coursework, a Finish Line Grant may be awarded. “Bundled services” should be divided
to isolate any internet amount payment due.
11) Can a Finish Line Grant be used to pay for a non-certified daycare provider?
Yes, with certain stipulations—the service must be invoiced, directly payable to the
provider, and must adhere to Workforce Development Board policy and regulations.
12) Will Finish Line Grants pay for renter insurance?
See Examples of extenuating circumstances. If the above is allowed, it must adhere to
Workforce Development Board policy and regulations.
A. Call for guidance if it is for extenuating circumstances.
Example: household move due to domestic violence, fire, weather-related, etc.
B. No, (typically), under normal circumstances.
Example: No emergency move—no life-threatening situation, a standard bill.
13) Is payment for towing a vehicle to a repair shop allowed through Finish Line
Grants?
This is allowed if the vehicle is the only means of transportation for the participant, is the
only way to get the vehicle to a repair shop, and must adhere to local Workforce
Development Board policy and regulations.
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14) Do course materials need to be approved by the Finish Line Grants Coordinator
each time, or can the Workforce Development Board approve?
Workforce Development Boards can approve. If a qualifying student has an unforeseen
financial hardship, contact the local area Workforce Development Board regarding
policies and which course materials can be included.
15) Can Finish Line Grants pay for home repairs and/or purchases such as roof,
windows, heater, air conditioning, hot water heater, washing machine, dryer, and
other appliance repair and replacement?
These repairs and replacements are for personal property. Means other than Finish Line
Grants should be explored. Call for guidance.
16) Is dependent care/childcare an expense payable with a Finish Line Grant?
Dependent care/childcare expenses can be covered if the student is participating in
clinicals, labs, in-class instruction, or worksite learning. Local Workforce Development
Board policies must be met.
17) Can a student apply for more than one semester and/or non-sequential semesters?
Yes. An unanticipated hardship is not planned, so there is no way to know when
assistance may be needed. Students may apply whenever needed provided all the
qualifying criteria is met, and it is not against local Workforce Development Board
policy or regulations. Note: Not all Workforce Development Boards offer Finish Line
Grants for summer semesters.
D. Implementation and Processes
1) Is there a state-wide logo for Finish Line Grants?
Please use the name “Finish Line Grants” as the statewide identifier in materials.
2) Does funding go directly to students?
No, funds should not be distributed directly to students. For example, if a student applies
for a Finish Line Grant to pay for a car repair, the approved payment will go to the car
repair entity; if a student applies for a Finish Line Grant to cover an unexpected medical
expense, the approved payment will go to the healthcare entity. Grants for gas may be
distributed through fuel cards as determined by the Partnership.
3) How will grant decisions be made?
The community college and local Workforce Development Board will establish a
standardized joint process for reviewing funding requests and deciding who will be
awarded a Finish Line Grant. Decisions should be made in the best interest of the
student wherever possible.
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4) Who is responsible for the funding and for student employment outcomes?
The Workforce Development Board will be responsible for the WIOA funding.
Additionally, the Workforce Development Board must gather WIOA eligibility and related
documentation from the student, enter data into NCWorks Online, provide ongoing case
management services, and track the credential attainment and employment outcomes of
the student. This student becomes the responsibility of the Workforce Development Board
for federal performance outcome purposes.
5) What happens if a student receives a Finish Line Grant and still fails to complete the
training?
Grants will not be conditioned on students completing any additional requirements (e.g.
community service hours) but every effort should be made to ensure that students are
highly likely to continue their training. There will be no payback requirement unless it is
determined that the student fraudulently acted to obtain or use the Finish Line Grant.
Community colleges and local Workforce Development Boards may want to adjust their
process of determining eligibility if it is found that students receiving Finish Line Grants
frequently fail to complete training.
6) What about FERPA compliance?
The Partnership MOU should outline the student data that will be shared amongst the
Partnership and should only be data that is required for processing and evaluating the
program. Furthermore, a notification of data sharing should be on the student request
form so that the student has been notified that personal data will be shared by the
Partnership.
7) How will participants be enrolled in NCWorks Online?
Specific instructions for Finish Line Grants enrollment into NCWorks Online are
available on the
NCWorks Staff Online Resources page.
8) Will the Workforce Development Boards disburse Finish Line Grants payments to
the providers of the emergency services?
Workforce Development Boards can directly provide the payments, or the local
college/contractor may make the payments and invoice the Workforce Development
Board for reimbursement. In all cases, sufficient documentation of expenses is required
for audit purposes.
9) Will tracking of credentials obtained be done through NCWorks Online?
Yes, all credentials attained must be recorded in NCWorks Online.
10) Who is to be listed in NCWorks Online as the provider for emergency payments?
That guidance is included in the Finish Line Grants instructions on the
NCWorks Staff
Online Resources page.
11) Will there be additional funding to local areas for increased caseloads and
administrative expenses?
Maybe. The Division of Workforce Solutions will consider requests for additional funding
to meet needs generated by Finish Line Grants operations.
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12) May a Finish Line Grants Partnership purchase fuel cards in advance?
Yes. Finish Line Grants Partnerships are encouraged to purchase fuel cards in advance
if permissible under the purchasing entity’s financial policies. As fuel cards are, in effect,
cash on hand, appropriate care should be taken to safeguard the cards, to require
recipients to sign for the card value they receive, and to hold a limited number of cards
on hand (as cards purchased in the current program year cannot be carried over into the
next program year).
13) Are all details of Finish Line Grants procedures final?
No, Finish Line Grants procedures are a work in progress. Please make suggestions for
improvements to the North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Workforce
Solutions and the North Carolina Community College System points of contact.
14) Is there a budget template for the Finish Line Grants application?
No. The application does not request a line-item budget. It does ask for the level of funding
the local Partnership needs, along with planned use of the funds and this should be
included in the application.
15) Will Finish Line Grants be operated in-house by local Workforce Development
Boards or by local WIOA contractors?
This will depend on the local Partnership. The details regarding who performs
enrollment into NCWorks Online, and other related roles, will be determined on the local
level; however, Finish Line Grant participants will receive case management services. At
some stage, it is likely that participants will be working with WIOA-contracted services
staff.
16) Is there flexibility in the 72-hour requirement to fulfill requests?
No. The purpose of Finish Line Grants is to meet student financial needs in true emergency
situations. To do so, program staff must evaluate and determine responses to students’
requests within three business days. Students should be able to receive a Finish Line Grant
within three business days upon submitting all documentation required by the Partnership.
17) If a community college works with more than one local Workforce Development
Board, can there be one application for that college?
Maybe. If both local Workforce Development Boards use the exact same process for Finish
Line Grants, this is a possibility. If not, the community college should direct students to
use the specific application relevant to the Workforce Development Board that will be
overseeing that particular student’s grant.
18) Should financial aid offices vet potential awards for people receiving student aid
(e.g., Pell Grant, student loans, etc.)?
Yes, financial aid officers should review potential Finish Line Grants awards because
receiving an award could impact the cost of attendance and the un-met need of the
student. The scenarios are complex and are best evaluated by financial aid officers.
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19) May Workforce Development Boards’ WIOA contractors make Finish Line Grants
payments and be reimbursed by the Workforce Development Board, or may only
community colleges and Workforce Development Boards make payments?
Finish Line Grants Partnership Proposals may designate WIOA contractors to make
payments. Reimbursement will be made by the Workforce Development Boards following
established procedures with their contractors.
20) Can Partnerships/partners conduct a public relations campaign regarding the
Finish Line Grants?
Yes. Outreach to inform students about Finish Line Grants may be conducted with federal
funds. Unallowable advertising and public relations expenses with federal funds are
detailed in the US Office of Management and Budget Uniform Administrative Requirements,
Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Funds 2 CFR 200.421. General
advertising, public relations, and marketing activities may also be conducted with non-
federal resources.
21) We want to enroll students who are in longer-term training programs, but how do
we keep them on our caseload until they complete training?
WIOA rules state that a WIOA program participant (student) must be provided a WIOA-
recognized service at least every 90 days or the student will be ‘exited’ from the WIOA
program. In order to keep the participant on the caseload until they complete training,
the participant must be provided at least one service every 90 days during the training.
Finish Line Grants students who are in longer-term training and enrolled in WIOA must
be provided services at least every 90 days until graduation or they will be ‘exited’ 90
days after the Finish Line Grants assistance is provided. In the latter case, the Workforce
Development Board will hope that the student is employed in a good job while continuing
to attend school.
22) Is there fiscal guidance for the procurement and purchase of goods and services
using Finish Line Grants funding?
Yes. Each Workforce Development Board must follow federal funds requirements as
outlined in the most current Division of Workforce Solutions Policy Statement on
Procurement and
Contracting Policy.
23) What are the standards for vetting requests? Is there a standard rubric across the
state?
No, there is not a standard rubric. While general guidance has been provided through
these FAQs, each local Partnership has discretion. The use of WIOA funding requires all
local, state, and federal policies for WIOA be followed. Consistent with the fact that
Finish Line Grants is locally operated, each Partnership may determine “criteria to be
used in deciding if student will be awarded a Finish Line Grant” as outlined in their
Finish Line Grants Partnership Proposal.
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E. WIOA-Specific Questions
1) What are the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligibility
requirements?
It is expected that Finish Line Grant participants will be enrolled in WIOA Title I as
Adults and must be 18 years of age or older; a citizen of, or eligible to work in, the
United States; if male and subject to Selective Service, registered with Selective Service.
2) Are Finish Line Grants considered WIOA Title I Supportive Services?
Yes. Workforce Development Boards will need to follow or revise their existing Supportive
Service Policy to adhere to this initiative or may develop a specific Finish Line Grants
Supportive Services Policy.
3) Do the WIOA Priority of Services requirements apply to Finish Line Grants?
No. Finish Line Grants are funded through WIOA state set-aside funds and are not subject
to Adult Formula Priority of Services. Workforce Development Boards may develop a
Priority of Services policy for Finish Line Grants or may use existing local Workforce
Development Board Priority of Services policy; however, doing so is not required.
4) Can a Finish Line Grants student applicant who is currently a WIOA Dislocated
Worker participant be enrolled in the Finish Line Grants activity without having to
enroll as a WIOA Adult?
No, the student will still need to be enrolled in the Statewide Adult category since the
WIOA funds for Finish Line Grants are statewide activities funds.
5) May the Finish Line Grants options for documenting income be used for other
WIOA programs?
No. The information provided on Finish Line Grants is specific to Finish Line Grants
participants. Programs issue specific information relevant to each program based on type of
funding, program requirements, and objectives.
6) Are there suggestions on ways to streamline the WIOA Title I enrollment process
and make it less burdensome on the student?
Local partnerships should seek ways to make the WIOA eligibility/enrollment as efficient
as possible. Those may include:
•
Ensuring that all appropriate staff understand the eligibility/enrollment process and
the documents required;
•
Clearly publicizing the eligibility for the program and the documents that a student
must provide; and/or
•
Having a dedicated space on campus for the eligibility/enrollment process with staff
easily accessible to the student. This should include having case managers on
campus.
