ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME APPLICANTS

Effective July 1, 2022, HCC is able to offer additional funding to applicants that meet a low-income status. For applicants who have been approved for assistance through the Florida Department of Children and Families, you may be eligible to have the first third of the cost of approved courses (up to $3,000) paid through the Open Door Scholarship Program. Then the remaining two-thirds of the tuition is paid for by the program if the student successfully completes the course and provides the results of their industry certification to Hillsborough Community College (HCC) – ICCE ( Click Here for Directions *). Funds from the program may be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, examination, books, and materials.

Please note that if you meet the Low-Income criteria and receive additional assistance, you will be required to pay a portion of the first third for any course that exceeds $3,000. That amount will be required at the time of registration. This includes the Clinical Medical Assistant course ($299) as well as the Certified Cloud Professional course ($900).

To prove your status of low-income, please submit a Notice of Case Action letter from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) showing approval status and approval date for benefits. Click here to view an example of DCF Notice of Case Action letter.

Click HERE – Steps To Apply

If you believe you should be considered low-income, but do not meet the criteria outline above or do not have the necessary documentation to support your petition, please visit the Florida Department of Children and Families website (https://dcf-access.dcf.state.fl.us/access/index.do) to download documentation and/or apply for benefits. Once you obtain the necessary documents, please follow the process outlined above so that HCC can review your application.

>>> All Courses Must be Completed by June 30, 2023 <<<
– Registration and payment (if applicable) must be completed within 2 business days of award notification.

– HCC cannot guarantee employment as a result of this training.

– Only one scholarship may be approved per individual.

– Complete one application only. If adjustments are needed to your existing application, please call 813.259.6010 or email ICCE@hccfl.edu.

Courses fill up quickly, so don’t delay.

Steps To Apply:

  1. Click Here for Directions
  2. Complete the Application
  3. Complete the Attestation
  4. Receive Approval from HCC (within 2 – 3 business days)
  5. Receive Award Notification and Registration Instructions
  6. Register for the Approved Course

Please note: Course selection must match both the completed application and the completed attestation. Should a mismatched course selection be received, the course submitted via the attestation will be selected for you. If you are unable to register and pay for any portion, if required by the grant, for the course within two business days of your Award Notification, you must reply with the specific date for which you will be able to register and pay.

Courses Approved

Healthcare

  • Certified EKG Technician

This course provides the training for administering and reading EKGs.  The course includes anatomy and physiology and disease processes that affect the heart, medications, Holter monitoring, 12-lead EKG, analyzing EKG readings, and much more.  A two-year BLS Healthcare Provider Certification is included in this course.

Total Hours: 52
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: Angela Vickers / 813.259.6513 / avickers3@hccfl.edu

  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

Enter into the world of healthcare today by performing functions related to the physician’s clinical responsibilities in the outpatient/private medical office.  Learn and perform methods of preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, specimen collection including blood collection (phlebotomy), running live electrocardiographs (EKGs), and recognizing heart rhythms.  Gain hands-on experience with critical procedures and concepts in phlebotomy, EKG, pharmacology, professional workplace behavior, ethics, and the legal aspects of healthcare. You will also complete an introduction to medical terminology, healthcare etiquette, and healthcare customer service to stand apart from others in a competitive job market. 

Upon completion of the course, you will be eligible to take the CMA, Phlebotomy, and EKG technician exams through National Healthcare Association (www.nhanow.com) receiving a total of 3 certifications! (Additional Phlebotomy, EKG, fees paid separately.)

Total Hours: 216 (+100 optional clinical hours)
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: AlliedHealthICCE@hccfl.edu

  • Patient Care Technician

The healthcare industry is currently undergoing major changes in the manner in which patient care is provided.  This restructuring has resulted in the introduction of a new category of healthcare workers trained to perform a variety of patient care services.  The Patient Care Technician course teaches the technical skills necessary to service complex patient personal care issues including rehabilitation services, basic bedside care, collection of laboratory specimens, Phlebotomy, and EKGs primarily geared for both the inpatient and outpatient setting. 

The Patient Care Technician works alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to oversee and monitor patients.  This Patient Care Technician training will provide students with the basic medical knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to perform or obtain technical diagnostic testing and perform direct patient care.  Many hospitals may require that PCTs also have a Certified Nursing Assistant license.   This course meets the requirements to also take the CNA exam to meet this requirement.  Visit the Florida Board of Nursing Website for information about becoming a CNA. Upon completion of the course, you will be eligible to take the PCT, Phlebotomy, and EKG technician exams through National Healthcare Association (www.nhanow.com), and apply to the Board of Nursing to become a CNA.  You could end up receiving a total of 4 certifications! (Additional Phlebotomy, EKG, CNA exam fees are paid separately.

Total Hours: 250 (+40 optional clinical hours)
Course Link: Click here
Advising Support Contact: AlliedHealthICCE@hccfl.edu

Information Technology

  • CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ | IT Job Readiness Skills

Cloud technology is important for developing a career in today’s computing landscape. Cloud computing is quickly capturing the technological domain. As a result, the demand for Cloud professionals is also increasing considerably. There are thousands of open tech jobs in the Tampa Bay area alone. Enter the exciting field of Cloud Computing and also learn job readiness skills to prepare to seek and/or obtain employment, and to keep their jobs once they are hired.

Total Hours: 36
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: Elizabeth Steacker / 813.259.6508 / esteacker@hccfl.edu

  • Microsoft Data Analyst Associate | IT Job Readiness Skills

With more and more big data in today’s workplace, it is more important than ever that most employees need to analyze, digest, and explain data in a manageable way to anyone who needs to understand their organization’s complex information. Therefore, this program is designed for most employees that are tasked with developing and promoting data-driven business decision-making. It’s no longer just for IT Specialists. The instructor will focus on the conceptual and practical aspects of Microsoft PL-300 exam objectives and lastly, the instructor will integrate the program with job readiness skills to prepare participants to seek or obtain employment and to keep their jobs once they are hired.

Total Hours: 88
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: Elizabeth Steacker / 813.259.6508 / esteacker@hccfl.edu

  • CompTIA A+ | IT Job Readiness Skills

This course is designed for entry-level individuals looking to start a new career in IT. This fundamental program begins with a brief introduction to PC basics; secondly, the instructor will focus on the conceptual and practical aspects of both CompTIA A+ 220-1001 and 220-1002 exam objectives, and lastly, the instructor will integrate the program with job readiness skills to prepare participants to seek or obtain employment and to keep their jobs once they are hired.

Total Hours: 108
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: Elizabeth Steacker / 813.259.6508 / esteacker@hccfl.edu

  • CompTIA Network+

Network+ is a vendor-neutral technology certification used to measure the IT Professional skills and knowledge needed to take on a pivotal role in building, managing, and protecting critical assets that is the data network.  According to CompTIA, the Network+ validates the skills to design, manage and troubleshoot any wired and wireless devices. Although not required; it is recommended for individuals with a CompTIA A+ Certification and 9 months of networking experience. 

Total Hours: 62
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: Elizabeth Steacker / 813.259.6508 / esteacker@hccfl.edu

  • CompTIA Security+

Security + course’s importance is growing as the frequency and severity of security threats continue to be a major concern for organizations all over the world. Learn the science behind how networks work. How bits travel across the world over the internet from one machine to another. Learn about routers, switches, protocols, and security measures to help take your skills to the next level. Network + certification validates the essential knowledge and skills needed to confidently design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot any wired and wireless networks.

If you are getting ready for a career as an entry-level security (IT) professional or network security administrator, the CompTIA® Security+ Certification course is the first step in your preparation plus 2 years of experience in IT administration with a security focus is recommended. Security + will build on your existing user-level knowledge and experience with personal computer (PC) software and hardware and computer networking to present you with fundamental skills and concepts. In this course, you will acquire the essential skills, expertise, and information needed to recognize and respond to threats, perform risk assessments and identify vulnerabilities.

Total Hours: 62
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: Elizabeth Steacker / 813.259.6508 / esteacker@hccfl.edu

  • Certified Cloud Professional

Cloud technology is important for developing a career in today’s computing landscape. Cloud computing is quickly capturing the technological domain with notable players such as Microsoft Azure, Google, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) making huge strides. As a result, the demand for cloud professionals is also increasing considerably. There are thousands of open tech jobs in the Tampa Bay area alone. This course will prepare you to enter the exciting field of cloud computing. As a part of this course, you will have the opportunity to take 3 different cloud certifications CompTIA Cloud Essentials, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and Google Associate Cloud Engineer.

Total Hours: 96
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: Elizabeth Steacker / 813.259.6508 / esteacker@hccfl.edu

Trades

  • Fluid Power – PMMI

The PMMI Mechatronics Certifications are based on industry-developed standards and are recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Manufacturing Institute’s Skills Certification System. Successful completion of training and certification exams of this training program articulates as 12 college credits into HCC’s Associate of Science Degree in Engineering Technology and is stackable with HCC’s Certified Production Technician program which itself articulates into 15 college credits into the same degree program with passing examination scores. Mechatronics Certification – Fluid Power 1 covers the function, operation, and application of common components used in fluid power circuits and systems. It also assesses the understanding of how fluid power components and accessories are placed together to create circuits and systems for powering industrial machines. Mechatronics Certification – Industrial Electricity 1 covers basic safety practices for voltages up to 600 volts and knowledge of voltage, current, and power in AC and DC circuits, circuit analysis of series and parallel loads, and a basic understanding of resistors, capacitors, and inductors. It applies these fundamentals to simple applications that would be found in residential, light commercial, and simple industrial use. Mechatronics Certification – Mechanical Components 1 covers the principles and applications of the most commonly found mechanical drive components as used in packaging machinery and systems.

Total Hours: 80
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: Shauntay Ocasio / 813.259.6528 / socasio@hccfl.edu

  • Certified Production Technician (CPT) – MSSC

The purpose of the Certified Production Technician (CPT) ® 4.0 certification program is to recognize through certification, individuals who demonstrate mastery of the foundational, core competencies of advanced manufacturing production at the entry-level to front-line supervisor through successful completion of the certification assessments.  The goal of the CPT 4.0 certification program is to raise the level of performance of production technicians to help employers ensure their workforce increases the company’s productivity and competitiveness. 

Total Hours: 128
Course Link: Click Here
Advising Support Contact: Shauntay Ocasio / 813.259.6528 / socasio@hccfl.edu

Scholarship Criteria and Directions to Apply for Low-Income Applicant
Please read thoroughly. Thank you.

1. Review the eligibility criteria for the Open Door Scholarship Program and confirm you meet the criteria and are interested in applying for one of the available course options.

2. Complete your online Application for the Open Door Scholarship Program at https://www.tampatraining.com/open-door-application/.

3. Complete your Open Door Scholarship Program Attestation form at https://www.tampatraining.com/open-door-attestation/.

NOTE: Your attestation must be signed online using Adobe Sign and accompany your application in order to be considered for the scholarship.

4. Once your application for the Open Door Scholarship Program has been approved, you will receive an email with an award letter and details on how to register.

5. Register for your approved course.

6. Attend class.

NOTE: If you encounter a situation you believe warrants consideration to be dropped from your course of study and possible refund, please obtain the Administrative Drop form and submit that for review. HCC will review your request and contact you within five business days with the final decision and/or any next steps. Please continue attending class sessions until you have been provided with a final decision regarding your administrative drop request.

7. Successfully complete your course.

NOTE: If you drop or do not successfully complete your course with a grade of S (Satisfactory), you will be responsible for an additional one-third of the cost of your tuition. An invoice will be sent to you with payment options.

8. Register to take the exam(s) for your industry certification.

9. Obtain your industry certification.

NOTE: If you are unsuccessful in your initial attempt to obtain your industry certification, an additional testing voucher may be made available to students who have attended 80% or more of their class sessions, are in good academic standing, and whom are willing to actively participate in one additional refresher session.

10. Provide documentation to HCC showing the results of your industry certification.

11. Watch your email for invitations from our Career Resource Team (ICCECareerResource@hccfl.edu) regarding employment opportunities and other career services.

Appeals Process:

If you have applied and are not approved for the scholarship, you may appeal the decision.

1. Please send an email with the details supporting your appeal to icce@hccfl.edu and include “Open Door Appeal” in the subject heading.

2. HCC will contact you and let you know the final decision and/or any next steps within five business days.

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