Discontinued Program -- Employment Skills Advancement Program (ESAP)
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Effective October 1, 2001, the Employment Skills Advancement Program (ESAP) has been terminated. Section 1718x of 2001 Wisconsin Act 16 (the "Biennial Budget Bill") repeals the statute creating ESAP.
Continue to process ESAP requests made before October 1, 2001.
Do not approve ESAP requests made on or after October 1, 2001.
Contact DWS CARES Information and Problem Resolution Center with any questions.
Email: carpolcc@dwd.state.wi.us
Note: Email contacts are preferred.
ABOUT US
The Employment Skills Advancement Program (ESAP) is a source of financial aid designed to assist qualified individuals who desire to
pursue education and training opportunities. ESAP was developed to provide limited grants for low-income workers motivated to improve the quality of their lives
through educational or training activities.
ESAP is a matching grant program that requires applicants to contribute toward the costs of their chosen course of study.
Purpose
Wisconsin is committed to lifelong learning and the development of a quality workforce as well as the reduction of poverty by improving skills, abilities,
knowledge and general employability of individuals in the workforce.
The Employment Skills Advancement Program (ESAP) is a source of financial aid designed to assist qualified individuals who wish to pursue education and training opportunities.
Eligibility
A participant may be eligible for an ESAP grant if s/he meets all of the following eligibility requirements:
- 18 years or older,
- Custodial parent of a minor child,
- Received AFDC or W-2 cash payments within the past five years,
- Employed full-time, and has been employed for the past six months,
- Meets income and asset guidelines, and
- Can contribute, or obtain from another source, an amount equal to the grant.
The training or educational program must be approved by the W-2 agency as part of a career training or education plan that will lead to increased income.
Grant Amounts and Uses
ESAP can help improve job skills by providing up to a total of $500 for tuition, books, equipment, supplies, transportation, or other costs of education or
training. It can also help with the cost of tutoring, English as a Second Language (ESL), or basic education courses. The amount of the grant plus the amount of
any grant that the applicant has previously received under this section may not exceed $500. The entire $500 amount for which each applicant would be eligible
need not be accessed all at once. However, to be eligible for a grant, an individual must have received AFDC or W-2 cash payments within the past five years.
Applicants wishing to access additional funding when the entire $500 is not requested in the initial application must provide the W-2 agency with suitable documentation showing good academic standing as defined by the school. For more information, or to apply for ESAP, contact the local Wisconsin Works (W-2) agency.
DES-10990-P (R. 05/99)