We wanted to share this announcement regarding an upcoming webinar on the Ability-to-Benefit provisions in the Higher Education Act. We encourage you to share this information with your networks.

Thanks, Cameron Johnson

Ability to Benefit: Improving Access to Career Pathways Programs for Adult Students Join the Department of Education and partners on Monday, October 21, 2019 from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern for a webinar on the Ability to Benefit (ATB) provisions of the Higher Education Act (34 CFR §668.141-668.156). This topic will be of interest to adult education, career and technical education, workforce development, and postsecondary practitioners and advocates, including those working with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Perkins V programs.

Fulfilling one of the ATB alternatives allows a student without a high school diploma or its equivalent to receive Title IV federal student aid (e.g., a Pell Grant or Direct Loan) to pay for postsecondary education if the student is enrolled in an eligible career pathway program. This webinar will deepen your understanding of the potential of ATB by explaining what it is, the history behind it, examples of its current use at a community college and in a state community college system, and how you could start the conversation at your college or in your state to expand or institutionalize ATB use.

Presenters will include:

• Casey Sacks, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education;
• Aaron Washington, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation;
• Laurie Kierstead-Joseph, Director of Adult Education Services, Pima Community College;
• Nikitna Barnes, Assistant Director for Resource Development, Mississippi Community College Board; and
• Erin Berg, Community College Program Specialist, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education .