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Free tuition, books, monthly stipends for eligible Maricopa Community Colleges students

Free tuition, books, and even monthly stipends to help cover transportation and childcare costs are available to eligible Maricopa County residents. Phoenix is using $7 million of its federal rescue funds to support a new programwith the Maricopa County Community College District called “Route to Relief."

Mayor Kate Gallego said the goal is to support students in high-demand industries like healthcare, computer technology and advanced manufacturing.

“In the past, we’ve looked at people and said, what was the last job you had or what is the most familiar and pushed people in that direction,” she said. “Route to Relief is different because it’ll give you an opportunity to go in a very different direction. Perhaps for some people a complete switch towards a higher wage career.”

A new program called Semiconductor Technician Quick Start is a two-week training experience to provide skills needed to work in semiconductor manufacturing fabrication. Companies like Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing are opening new facilities in the Valley, and many local and state leaders continue to promote the Phoenix area as an international hub for semiconductor manufacturing.

Route to Relief is meant for Maricopa County residents who lost income or jobs during the pandemic or stopped working to care for a child or sick household member. More than 100 programs across 10 community colleges are eligible for funding. 

In a press release, Dr. Steven Gonzales, interim chancellor of the Maricopa Community Colleges, said, “Investing in workforce development initiatives like this one, to support targeted industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and bioscience, will yield a generous return.”

Details on eligibility and more information about Route to Relief can be found at  info.maricopacorporate.com/r2r-student.

EDITOR'S NOTE: KJZZ is licensed to the Maricopa County Community College District.

As a senior field correspondent, Christina Estes focuses on stories that impact our economy, your wallet and public policy.