Career Readiness Programs

STEP (SNAP Training and Employment Program)

Helping SNAP recipients find high wage and high demand jobs through 博天堂官方

The 博天堂官方 STEP Program is for students who are receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Benefits. As a participant in STEP, students receive enhanced academic and financial support in reaching their educational and career goals. The STEP Program can help with pre-college preparation and funding for classes such as GED, GED Spanish, Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESOL).  STEP can help students with funding and coaching while completing college courses leading to a certificate and/or an associate degree. Additionally, STEP can help with resume and cover letter writing assistance, interview skills preparation, and mock interviews.


Am I Eligible?

You must be a SNAP recipient and able to work upon completion of your educational program. Please complete the STEP Interest form. We will contact you shortly and include information about how to take your first steps to prepare for STEP.

Important: TANF recipients are not eligible for enrollment in STEP. However, if you are nearing the end of your TANF enrollment, please complete the STEP Interest form so we can explore your post-TANF options. Students with TANF can contact the 博天堂官方 JOBS Program for additional education support options.


Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost anything to get help from STEP?
No, it is free to enroll in STEP. However, there are costs associated with enrollment at 博天堂官方. Your STEP Coach with work with you to navigate potential funding sources. 
If I am enrolled in STEP, does that mean that I am enrolled at 博天堂官方?
No. You must still apply for admission to 博天堂官方 and register for classes.
I don't have a ride to get to campus for my appointments or classes. Can I still participate?
Yes. There are many classes are offered virtually or online. Additionally, you have access to public transportation, and STEP participants have access to assistance for transportation for training and education-related purposes.
Can STEP help with obtaining a GED or help me improve my English skills? 
Yes. The STEP Program can assist you with the cost of a GED and English language classes and testing. To find orientation dates for GED, Spanish GED, and ELA classes, review these upcoming orientation dates. STEP Coaches can assist you with short term training as you prepare to enter your college-level program of study.
How do I research potential careers? 

You can use 博天堂官方's Career Coach assessment tool for guidance. Additionally, Navigators in 博天堂官方's First Resort Office can assist you with determining areas of focus.

Databases like Quality Info and the Occupational Outlook Handbook use data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Oregon Employment Department to provide the latest information about jobs that might interest you before you apply. Once you select an occupation, you can read about what career professionals do on the job, how to become qualified, and what the growth potential and wage range for that job is in your area.

How can I find funding for college?

The STEP Program can assist you with the cost of up to 12 credits per year. The program can also assist with costs associated with books and supplies, specific program needs, and transportation assistance.

Start here: complete a free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the application for Pell Grants, federal student loans, the Oregon Opportunity, and Oregon Promise grants. Additionally, many scholarship application require that you have a FAFSA completed. 
Start Your FAFSA.

WIOA Scholarship: Community Services Consortium’s vocational scholarship offers up to $3000 for short-term training programs in Linn and Benton counties. This scholarship is funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 
Learn more and apply for the CSC WIOA Scholarship.

博天堂官方 Scholarships and Grants: Need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants are available from 博天堂官方. Some are program-specific, some are based on the level of need of the student, or both. 
Learn more and apply for 博天堂官方 Scholarships.

Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) scholarships: You may qualify for many scholarships offered within the state of Oregon, based on where you went to high school, where your parents worked, your household composition, your major, your interests, and many other categories. Fill out one application to apply for hundreds of scholarships through this database.
Learn more and apply for Oregon Scholarships and Grants.

Scholarships for Immigrant Students: World Education Services provides a scholarship-finding tool that searches databases for scholarships based on your home country.
Find World Education Scholarships.

Additional Scholarships: FastWeb is a database of scholarships from private and public organizations, employers, individuals, and non-profits from all over the US. There are thousands of scholarships available, some with unique application processes (making a video that shows how to fix something, writing an essay that describes your love of coffee, even answering quiz questions about geography and movies). Create a profile to see what scholarships you might be able to receive.
View FastWeb’s database of scholarships.

What resources are there for noncitizens? 

If you are not eligible for federal financial aid, you may still be eligible to file the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) for college funding. By filling out the ORSAA Questionnaire, you can find out which financial aid application you should file and steps you can take to become eligible.
Learn more and fill out the ORSAA Questionnaire.

Were you educated outside of the United States? Use these tools from World Education Services to find out how your credentials compare in the US.
Use these Degree and GPA Equivalency Tools.

Upwardly Global helps work-authorized immigrants, refugees, asylees, and Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVs) restart their professional careers in the United States. Register to get access to resources for licensure, job search and more.
Learn more about Upwardly Global.

STEP can assist with the cost of GED and English language classes and testing.
Find an upcoming orientation date for GED, Spanish GED, and ELA classes.

Can you help me find a job now?

STEP offers assistance with building a resume and preparing materials for job applications. Most jobs require an online application, resume, and cover letter. Your coach can also help prepare you for interviews. 

Are there other tools out there to find a job?

Yes. Complete or update an iMatchSkills profile. Also register for the National Career readiness Certificate (NCRC).

iMatchSkills matches current, local job openings to the profile you create so that you can find job listings that correspond to your skills, experience, and interest. An iMatchSkills account is the first step to enrolling in STEP, as well as registering for workshops for job seekers (including the NCRC) at your local Worksource Oregon office. 

If you already have an account, log in with your username and password and make sure that your information is current. If not, click on “Create an Account” and follow the instructions. Once you have created a profile and logged in, you can study for the NCRC by clicking the link that says “Work-Related Skills Review” under the Resources and Services heading.

Visit the iMatchSkills Register/Login page to get started.

Is there anywhere on campus where I can find resources and support?

Yes! The Roadrunner Resource Center is a one stop shop to help find local basic needs resources. 

You can also meet with the 博天堂官方 Roadrunner Resource Center to find ways to afford:

  • Childcare
  • Groceries
  • Rent
  • Healthcare
  • Utilities

For more information, email resources@shoywg8868tp.com.

Where else can I search for resources?

Dial 211 on your phone or visit 211Info.
Access the 211 Resource Search Engine.

The Community Services Consortium has compiled a Resource Guide listing local organizations that provide support in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties.
View the complete guide CSC Resource Guide.

Don’t hesitate to contact your STEP Coach for referrals.

Where can I prepare for and take a placement test at 博天堂官方?

For information about placement testing, including hours, how to schedule your test, and sample test questions, review this Placement Testing information.



Contact Us

Jessi Walker, STEP Coach
Email: walkerje@shoywg8868tp.com
Phone: 541-917-4695
Office: Willamette Hall, WH 213

Julia Larsen, STEP Coach
Email: larsenj@shoywg8868tp.com
Phone: 541-990-0224
Office: Willamette Hall, WH 211

Kory Sessions-Riseley, Student Success Specialist and First Resort Navigator
Email: sessiok@shoywg8868tp.com
Phone: 541-917-4806
Office: Takena Hall, First Resort

Andrea Piercy, STEP Coach
Email: piercya@shoywg8868tp.com
Phone: 971-701-1593
Office: Willamette Hall, WH 212

Jessica Abblitt, STEP Coach
Email: abblitj@shoywg8868tp.com
Phone: 971-701-3161
Office: Willamette Hall, WH 210


About STEP

The 博天堂官方 STEP Program was launched at Linn-Benton Community College in October 2016.

博天堂官方 STEP is a partnership with the Oregon Community College Consortia and Oregon Department of Human Services.  The purpose of the STEP program is to assist SNAP recipients to obtain the postsecondary education and training needed to obtain living-wage employment and economic mobility.