1. Community College Gap Assistance Program
Nebraska’s coordinating commission for postsecondary education
J. Ritchie Morrow – Financial Aid Officer
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

2. What’s Gap? State of Nebraska financial aid program Began July 2016
Approved by Legislature and signed by Governor in 2015
For low-income students to take non-credit community college programs in high-need fields.
To obtain new employment or retain employment and advance in their careers
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

3. Why is Gap needed?
To address workforce shortages while enabling low-income recipients to obtain higher wages
Addresses financial need as these students are not Pell eligible
Nebraska Studies
SRI International’s “Nebraska’s Next Economy” - Summer 2016
University of Nebraska’s Business in Nebraska
“A Return to Balanced Growth” - Summer 2016
Battelle’s “A Competitive Advantage Assessment and Strategy for Nebraska” - Fall 2010
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

4. Breakdown of Gap Components Low-income requirement Non-credit
Annual family income at or below 250% of poverty guidelines
Non-credit
Must be non-credit offerings
Community colleges
Only at Nebraska’s six community colleges
High-need/in-demand fields
Twelve fields: financial services, transportation, precision metals manufacturing, biosciences, renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, business management and administrative services, software and computer services, health services, hospitality and tourism, engineering, and construction
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

5. What types of program are offered?
Over 250 Gap programs are currently offered
Ex: OSHA, welding, A+ Certification, Paralegal, Bookkeeper, Medical Coding and Billing, Pharmacy Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, Renewable Energy, EMT, Commercial Truck Driving
All viewable in spreadsheet at Gap website
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

6. What expenses can Gap cover?
Partial or full amount for tuition
Required books and equipment
Required equipment: welding jacket, steel-toed boots, etc.
Industry testing fees
Pharmacy technician certification exam, etc.
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

7. Where do students apply?
Either in-person or online
Have prospective applicants contact their community college Gap contact
Student application
Sample provided on CCPE Gap webpage
Income requirement
W-2(s) and 1040(s) needed
Residency requirement
U.S. Citizen or qualified alien status per DHS
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

8. Gap Ready?
Is the Gap applicant ready to participate and complete the Gap program?
An aspect of the intake process/application
Determined during initial assessment
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

9. How is Gap funded? Nebraska lottery dollars
Approximately $1.4 million each year for the next 5 years
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

10. Looking to Iowa Where do we want to go? Looking at Iowa’s results:
Fiscal year 2015
594 Gap recipients gained new employment
153 Gap recipients retained employment
65 Gap recipients continued with their education
Over the entire class that fiscal year:
70% gained new employment!
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019

11. Conclusion What is Gap Why is Gap needed What expenses are covered
Where do students apply
“The rapid growth of certificates over the past 30 years is a promising signal that students and institutions are recognizing the value of certificates at an increasing rate.” – Georgetown University’s “Certificates: Gateway To Gainful Employment and College Degrees” - June 2012
ccpe.nebraska.gov/gap
9/23/2019