Michigan Works! Helps Make Degree Obtainable
Kimberly Sapp was attending Ferris State University to receive her AAS in Respiratory Care. During her last year of school, Kimberly came to Michigan Works! seeking tuition assistance. While she did have a full-time bartending job, the costs of tuition, fees, and transportation and lodging during clinicals was more than Kimberly could afford. She was worried she would have to drop out of school.
Since Kimberly was working towards a degree in an in-demand occupation, Michigan Works! was able to help her pay for her tuition, books and fees needed to obtain her degree, as well as help pay for mileage, uniforms, hotel stays while at clinicals, and her Certified Respiratory Therapist exam fee.
With the financial aid Michigan Works! was able to provide, Kimberly was able to finish her degree. She passed her exams and gained employment at St. Mary’s making $17.10 per hour as a Respiratory Therapist.
“I was going to have to drop out of school because my clinical schedule was very demanding. I couldn’t juggle work and school. Michigan Works! made it possible to manage both. With the financial support they provided me, I was able to work, do my clinical rotation and finally graduate. They have gone above and beyond to help me achieve my goal and now I am employed in my field of study. I am very grateful and I couldn’t have done it without them,” says Kimberly.