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- South Suburban College to Offer Tuition-Free "Rebound" Program Beginning this Summer
South Suburban College to Offer Tuition-Free "Rebound" Program Beginning this Summer
4/15/2009
SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – South Suburban College announces a newly developed program that will provide an opportunity for individuals who have been laid off as a result of the struggling economy to improve their situations. The SSC Board of Trustees recently granted the administration permission to implement a tuition-free program for residents of College District 510 who have become unemployed since January 1, 2008. The college has targeted the 2009 summer and fall semesters to pilot the new "Rebound" program.
SSC Trustee Katie Jackson Booker initiated this innovative plan with a primary goal of providing individuals who have been let go from their jobs for reasons other than performance with an opportunity to pursue education as a way of improving their employability.
"These students will potentially improve their job skills, while also completing professional certifications, or in some cases an Associate's Degree," said Jackson Booker. "We need to be proactive during these difficult times in order to fulfill our mission to serve our students and the community, and I believe this program will do just that."
The Rebound courses will be offered in 18 academic areas ranging from healthcare to technology, within class sections that have the capacity for growth. Seats in these classes will be on a first come, first served basis–as class space fills up new sections will not be opened.
Oakton College has been successful offering similar, less extensive, tuition-free courses which were unveiled for the spring 2009 semester. Other community colleges including McHenry and Kankakee have also offered comparable programs.
The basic qualifications for SSC's Rebound include but are not limited to the following criteria:
- Reside within Community College District 510.
- Have become unemployed from a full-time job for reasons other than job performance anytime since January 1, 2008, and are still currently unemployed.
- Provide a current Illinois Wage Information Sheet (it is the form individuals receive from IDES when they file an unemployment claim). If the individual is ineligible to apply for unemployment insurance a letter from the previous employer must be provided with the dates of full-time employment and a statement that the reason for termination was not related to performance.
- Be interested in one of the classes/programs offered.
The Rebound programs and levels of advancement are as follows: Phlebotomy, Certificate; Medical Assistant, Certificate; Medical Coding and Billing Specialist, Certificate; Microsoft Office Suite Tools, Certificate; Basic Office Skills, Certificate; Microcomputer Tools, Certificate; Entrepreneurial Express, Certificate; Home Inspection, Certificate; Construction Supervision & Management, Certificate; New Residential Construction, Certificate; Computerized Accounting, Certificate; CISCO Cabling Technician, Industrial Certification Available; CISCO Cabling & A+ Technician Prep, Industrial Certification Available; Graphic Design Adobe Creative Suite, Certificate; Pharmacy Technician, Certificate; Teacher Aide, Certificate; Forensic Science Technology, A.A.S. Degree; Graphic Design, A.A.S. Degree.
Some of the programs may require prerequisites or other provisions for entry. The majority of these classes will begin this summer, while some will not be available until the fall 2009 semester. All Rebound materials including process forms and a complete course listing are available in the Job Training Office and online at www.SouthSuburbanCollege.edu .
"I believe that Rebound is going to provide a great service to the residents of our community," said Frank M. Zuccarelli, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. "I commend our Board for recognizing the importance of this initiative, and I look forward to seeing our students realize the benefits right away."
The first registration period for Rebound will begin for the summer semester on Monday, May 18, 2009. Prospective students will be evaluated to meet the Rebound specifications in the Job Training department of the college. Job Training is located in Room 4461 of the main campus in South Holland. Job search and career planning services are also offered to assist students, alumni, faculty, business and industry, and community residents. No appointment is necessary. For more information, please call 708-596-2000 x2530.
