Eligibility

Before becoming a participant in the Out-of-School Youth program, an individual must complete eligibility determination and documentation verification. Determining whether youth are eligible to participate in the Out-of-School Youth Program involves multiple factors including age, school status, barriers to employment, and others. Individuals must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

1. Be eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) years of age; and
2. Be a United States citizen or have the right to work; and
3. Be registered for selective service (applicable males); and
4. Not attending school; and
5. One or more of the following:
   1. School dropout
   2. Within the age of compulsory school attendance but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter
   3. Subject to the juvenile or adult justice system
   4. Homeless
   5. Runaway
   6. Foster care
   7. Pregnant or parenting
   8. Disability
   9. Recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent who is a low-income individual and is either basic skills deficient or an English language learner*
   10. Low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment*

Low-income is defined as one or more of the following:

• Receiving assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Receiving assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
• Receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Family Income at or below the WIOA Federal Income Guidelines
• Lives in a high-poverty area