Who is eligible for financial assistance through the Career Expressway?

The Career Expressway by Capital IDEA was specifically created for students like you who are chasing their dreams. If you’re ready to ramp up your efforts, the Career Expressway can help you reach your destination faster with no debt. To qualify for our financial assistance, you must be 18 years or older, have a GED or High School diploma, have NOT completed a college degree (associate degree or higher), and meet our other eligibility requirements. Visit our qualifications page for a full checklist.

What financial support do I get as a Career Expressway student?

When it comes to achieving your career aspirations, a little help can go a long way. That’s where Capital IDEA comes in – our financial assistance includes not only tuition, textbooks, testing, and student fees, but also any necessary items for your degree program like scrubs or mechanic’s tools. Additionally, through our network of partners, we’ll help cover a significant portion of your childcare costs.

When does my financial assistance start and how long does it last?

Once you are accepted into the Career Expressway program, your financial assistance will kick in at the start of the semester. We do not reimburse for courses taken before you were a Career Expressway student, but going forward, we pay your tuition bill directly to the college and cover the cost of your textbooks. You do not have to reapply. Our support renews automatically as long as you continue with your education. If life interrupts, we will look for additional supports to help you stay in your program and make it to graduation, but as a last option, you can withdraw from the program and reapply when you’re ready to return, graduate, and start your new career. We are committed to your success, which means — We’re with you from start to hired!

Where will I go to college?

As part of our Career Expressway Program, you have a choice of three stops: Austin Community College, Temple College, or our Union Partners. We’ve carefully chosen our education partners based on their proven track records of providing career-focused, professional-level training that leads to employment. To see if we provide financial assistance for your future career, browse through our directory of sponsored programs. Note: If you are currently enrolled in one of these institutions, you may be eligible for financial assistance through our Career Expressway Program. Review our qualifications to find out.

Why does Capital IDEA offer FREE College?

As a nonprofit, our mission is to connect you with the best opportunities in Central Texas. We partner with local employers who are struggling to find enough skilled professionals to fill essential roles in healthcare, technology, and trades. These careers offer high wages, great benefits, and a career path. Plus, they’re critical to the well-being of our community. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough skilled workers to fill the job openings in Central Texas. That’s where you come in! If you’re ready for a new career and willing to train for one of these essential occupations, we can provide financial assistance to make college FREE to you. You’ll have a great career with nothing to repay and zero debt because when you succeed, we all succeed!

Learn More

To learn more about Capital IDEA’s Career Expressway program, sign up for a Career Up information session.

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Support Services: Financial Assistance | Childcare Assistance | Career Navigators | Career Placement