Louisville-area residents who want to finish their associate's degrees have an opportunity to apply for $1 million in federal scholarship money now available. The funds come from the Workforce Investment Act and are accessible to students who need one more year of schooling to complete their associate's degrees.Kim Maffet, chairperson of the local workforce development agency called Kentuckiana Works, says the scholarships will help many people increase their earning power and fill some critical job vacancies, especially in the medical field."An LPN (Licenced Practical Nurse) working for any hospital or health care system in the country right now is going to graduate making about $28,000, which is good. But if they have time to go and reach that associate's degree level nursing degree, they're going to be allowing themselves a $15,000 to $18,000 increase right off the bat, that's just base pay," Maffet said.The scholarship program offers up to $3,000 for tuition and up to $600 for books and supplies during the 2008-2009 academic year.More information is available from the Kentuckiana Works program.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.