Simi Institute for Careers & Education
Financial Aid
Financial Aid Process
Simi Institute for Careers & Education firmly believes in the life changing power of an education. Our "Career in a Year" programs offer students the fast track to a new career. Internships, Externships and Apprenticeships help students make contacts with local employers.
If you are struggling financially, please explore the following financial aid options prior to enrolling in courses or paying any tuition or fees, unless otherwise noted. Once a student is determined to be eligible for one of our partner's scholarship options, funds from those options are applied to the eligible fee category, such as tuition, books, supplies, etc. All awards are given through our Business Office.
Financial Aid Partners
Simi Institute for Careers & Education has many partners providing financial support for our students. Thank you to the following organizations and individuals for sharing our vision of assisting students in meeting their career goals.
America's Job Center of California (WIOA)
WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.
WIOA may help pay for the following courses:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Electrocardiography Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomist
If you know you are eligible, you can expedite the application process by calling 805-204-5186.
California-Hawaii Elks Association Vocational Grant
The program is open to anyone residing in California or Hawaii who is a U.S. citizen and planning to pursue an eligible vocational / technical course resulting in a certificate or two-year degree and leading to employment opportunities.
The program is open to male and female applicants who will be judged on an equal basis. While graduating high school seniors may apply, it is not limited to high school students–in fact, it is open to all prospective students who require training or retraining to compete in the workplace.
The Vocational Grant is for one academic year, with an option to renew for one additional academic year. This grant may be used only for usual and required costs of student’s course of study; that is, for tuition and fees, room and board (if living on campus) and books & supplies. Payment will be made to the school. Awards will be between $500 and 2,000 for an academic year depending on length of course. Students planning to transfer to a four year school to pursue a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply. If you have an outside organization paying for your education you are not eligible for this scholarship. Elks pays Simi Institute directly and funds are only used for unpaid tuition costs, Simi Institute does not reimburse the Student any funds.
A student must plan to attend school on a full-time basis for a minimum of sixty days. An academic year is determined to be a minimum of nine (9) months (approximately 39 weeks) of continuous full-time study. Payments may not be used to cover retroactive charges and may only be applied to expenses in the academic year.
Applications must be filed with the Scholarship Chairman, Exalted Ruler, or Secretary of the Elks Lodge having jurisdiction in the area of the student’s legal residence. An application may only be filed with one Lodge.
For more information, click on the link below or email cheascholarship@gmail.com
Department of Rehabilitation
Tuition and vocational planning assistance for individuals with disabilities.
Local offices:
- Thousand Oaks: 805-371-6279
- Oxnard / Ventura: 805-385-2400
- Canoga Park: 818-596-4302
WIOA Youth Services
You may be eligible if you are 16 - 24 years old, live in Ventura County, and also face one of these circumstances:
- Experiencing homelessness
- Challenges with finishing high school
- Pregnant or parenting
- In or transitioning out of the foster care system
- Past conviction
- Documented disability
- English Language Learner
This program may help pay for the following courses:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Electrocardiography Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomist
For more information, please contact Patricia Cervantes: pcervantes@goodwillvsb.org | 805-981-0130
National Dislocated Worker Grant
Grants for Ventura County residents that have been unemployed for 15 weeks or longer. Male applicants must be registered for selective service in order to be eligible. Contact Micah Bailey: 805-981-0130 or mbailey@goodwillvsb.org
This grant may help pay for the following courses:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Electrocardiography Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomist
Prison to Employment
Grants for Ventura County residents that have spent time in county, state, or federal jail. Can be on county supervision (i.e. parole). Contact Micah Bailey: 805-981-0130 or mbailey@goodwillvsb.org
This grant may help pay for the following courses:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Electrocardiography Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomist
Gene Haas Foundation (Machine Technology only)
Through the Gene Haas Foundation, we can assist with tuition costs exclusively for Machine Technology program students. Financial difficulty should not be a hindrance to pursuing a career in manufacturing. To apply, please contact Oygar Lindskog, Lead Machine Technology Program Instructor:
My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (Military Spouses)
The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of tuition assistance to eligible military spouses. The scholarship assists military spouses in pursuing licenses, certifications or associate degrees necessary to gain employment in an occupation or career field. Spouses may use their My Career Advancement Account Scholarship funds at any academic institution approved for participation in the scholarship.
Those eligible for the scholarship include spouses of service members on active duty in pay grades E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2 who have successfully completed high school and have the ability to request tuition assistance while their military sponsor is on Title 10 military orders. Spouses married to members of the National Guard and reserves in these same pay grades are eligible.
To apply, please visit the MyCAA website or call 800-342-9647.
Simi Institute Scholarship Fund
Thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise (RCSS), we are proud to offer scholarships from 20% to 70% of tuition costs based on documented need and availability of funds. Depending on your household income and current academic standing at SICE (if applicable), you may qualify for this one-time scholarship. The application process takes approximately two weeks so please consider this timeline when applying.
Open to the following programs:
- Business & Computers - Final term only
- Barbering - Level 3 only
- Cosmetology - Level 3 only
- Esthetician - Level 3 only
- Manicuring - Level 2 only
- Basic Machine Technology - Final term only
- Carpentry
- Welding - Final term only
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Electrocardiograph Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomist
- Respiratory Therapy - Payment 3 only
- Surgical Technology - Payment 3 only
Jewish Free Loan Association
Interest-free loans. You do not need to be Jewish to qualify.
Soroptimist Live Your Dreams Award
The Live Your Dream Awards offers three levels of cash awards. Eligible applicants can submit their application between August 15 - November 15. Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards finalist has the potential to receive up to $16,000 to help offset tuition costs, purchase books, get transportation, or find reliable childcare so she can worry less about how to pay her bills and focus on reaching her dreams.
Eligibility for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards is for a woman who:
- Provides the primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.
- Has financial need.
- Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.
- Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals.
- Resides in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela).
- Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award.
- Does not have a graduate degree.
- Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family of either.
Contact
For more information on financial aid opportunities, please visit our Counseling Office in Room 402.