Frequently Asked Questions

• Ready to Work is San Antonio’s premier workforce program.
• Well-paid jobs require high-quality education and training. For too long, quality education has been out of reach for San Antonio residents. In 2020, San Antonio voters decided to invest over $200 million to offer scholarships and support services to eligible participants. No other city in the nation is investing in its residents like San Antonio.
• Ready to Work will provide tuition assistance for approved training and education programs for over 28,000 adults. These programs include:
  • High-school equivalency courses, like a GED;
  • Industry-recognized credential and certificate programs.
  • Associate degree programs; and
  • Bachelor’s degree programs.
• Ready to Work’s personal coaches will help you evaluate training, education and employment options throughout your journey.

Ready to Work is intended to serve San Antonio residents that are unemployed or employed in low-paid jobs that don’t make full use of their skills and abilities. To be eligible for Ready to Work:

• You must be:
  • At least 18 years old;
  • A resident of San Antonio (find out if your address is eligible here);
  • Permitted to work in the United States;
  • Willing to take assessments related to workforce readiness; and
  • Willing to complete training and education aligned with high-demand careers.
• You have already earned at least 30 college credits at the time of intake.
• Your household income may not exceed 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, which are periodically updated. For example, as of January 2022:
  • An individual living alone with an annual income of less than $33,975 would qualify for Ready to Work;
  • A head of a household of four with an annual income of less than $69,375 would qualify for Ready to Work. 

Ready to Work partners provide the following services at no charge:

• Personal coaching to understand your skills, education, life challenges and goals
• Career and education planning to map out your future.
• Enrollment assistance and paid tuition for the following approved training programs:
  • High-school diploma courses (like a GED)
  • Industry-recognized certification programs (like a skilled trade, craft, medical or IT certification)
  • Associates degrees
  • Bachelor’s degrees
• Job placement and retention services such as resume building, interviewing preparation, time management and soft skills
• Support services to overcome financial, social and emotional challenges
• Emergency financial assistance to assist with training completion and job placement
• Referrals to additional community resources to meet individual needs