FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 12, 1999) - Gov. Paul E. Patton announced today that the Cabinet for Workforce Development has established an Education Pays scholarship for customers of the cabinet’s wide range of employment and training programs and services.

Patton said that the scholarships will help people access postsecondary education, while promoting to all Kentuckians that "Education Pays."

"For months now, we’ve been stressing that ‘Education Pays,’" the governor said. "The Cabinet for Workforce Development provides vital education, employment and training opportunities every day to help Kentuckians better themselves.

"Now the agency has made a commitment to help Kentuckians finance their journey to a better life through postsecondary education or training by offering them a scholarship to help with educational expenses," he said.

To be eligible, applicants must be a customer of at least one of the cabinet’s services, which include adult education, vocational rehabilitation programs, unemployment insurance, job search, the Job Training Partnership Act and secondary technical education, among others. Applicants must also be Kentucky residents and provide proof of enrollment in a postsecondary educational institution for the fall 1999 semester.

The $500 scholarships may be used for tuition, books, lab and technology fees.

Cabinet for Workforce Development Secretary Allen D. Rose said that the scholarships send an important message to Kentuckians preparing for the workforce.

"We recognize that the road to knowledge often costs money," he said. "We want to help some people pay some of the tolls."

Applications and complete eligibility guidelines and requirements are available through adult learning centers; local offices of the Department for the Blind, Department for Employment Services and Department of Vocational Rehabilitation; Kentucky Tech area technology centers; and JTPA service providers.

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