Basic Eligibility for Youth WIOA Programs

WIOA Youth programs have helped more than a million young adults create a pathway to lifelong success, often giving them their first job experience, a chance to further their education, one-on-one guidance through the next phase of their life and so much more.

Local Area Services Include: Tutoring | Alternative Secondary School | Paid Work Experiences, Pre- Apprenticeship Programs, Internships and Job Shadowing, and On-The-Job Training | Occupational Skill Training | Workforce Preparation and Training | Leadership Development Opportunities | Supportive Services | Financial Incentives | Mentoring | Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling | Financial Literacy Education | Entrepreneurial Skills | Labor Market and Employment Information | Postsecondary Education and Training Preparation Activities | Follow-up Services

Eligibility/Target Population: Out-of-School Youth (OSY) and In-School Youth (ISY)

An Out-of-School (OSY) is an individual who is:

(a) Not attending any school (or enrolled);

(b) Not younger than age 16 or older than age 24 at time of enrollment; and

(c) One or more of the following:

(1) A school dropout;

(2) A youth who is within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter;

 (3) A recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is a lowincome individual and is either basic skills deficient or an English language learner;

(4) An offender;

(5) A homeless individual, a homeless child or youth, or a runaway;

6) An individual in foster care or who has aged out of the foster care system or who has attained 16 years of age and left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption, a child eligible for assistance under sec. 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677), or in an out-of-home placement;

(7) An individual who is pregnant or parenting;

(8) An individual with a disability; or

(9) A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.

An In-School Youth (ISY) is an individual who is:

(a) Attending school (as defined by State law), including secondary and postsecondary school;

(b) Not younger than age 14 or (unless an individual with a disability who is attending school under State law) older than age 21 at time of enrollment;

(c) A low-income individual; and

(d) One or more of the following:

(1) Basic skills deficient;

(2) An English language learner;

(3) An offender;

(4) A homeless individual, a homeless child or youth, or a runaway;

(5) An individual in foster care or who has aged out of the foster care system or who has attained 16 years of age and left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption, a child eligible for assistance under sec. 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677), or in an out-of-home placement;

(6) An individual who is pregnant or parenting;

(7) An individual with a disability; or

(8) An individual who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.

Take the next step to your future

WIOA Youth programs are federally funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.  The eligibility includes completing an application, assessment, and collection of certain documentation that determines eligibility.  Any applicant is under the age of 18, parental involvement in the application process and family information is also required prior to approval.