[kinoxi]

"If you want to get educated or want to succeed, the welfare office don't care," Foster said.

The converse of that is if you want to get educated or want to succeed there are usually options available to you.

[Bogtrotter52]

For 11 years I worked for the Alaska dept. of Labor. Much of the work was with getting welfare recipiants to work. You would not believe the lengths people will go to in order to avoid getting a job and off the public dime. It finall began to work when we began reducing the monthlyhandout amount if they failed to show up for appointments. Many would/will sit around on their ass thinking the system will change back to the way it was in the good old days before they reach the time limit and only get serious when they finally realize that, yes indeedy, they WILL be cut off when the time expires. The fact is, most states will bend over backwards to give you money for training/eduction. But they have to want it.

[spikeytx86]

"If you want to get educated or want to succeed, the welfare office don't care," Foster said.

That's true, because thats not their responsibility.

The financial aid office however at your local university or community college does care if you succeed (high default rates in student loans can cost a school there access to them). What could a TANF recipient or former recipient receive in financial aid:

$4,050 in Pell Grants
$4,000 in SEOG Grants
$1,000 in Leap

+ Thousands in student loans and aid from their states + work study + university scholarships and grants that are need based + some schools will waive tuition for former and current TANF recipients.

Anything left over after tuition and fees and books up to estimated cost of attendance you can keep for living expenses. Between residuals and a part time job you could live fairly well. Oh and you can buy health insurance from your school at group rates which are really low and no out of pocket expenses at your Student Health Center.

All of that aid is more then enough to attend any state school or community college. If there is a will their are many ways in this land of ours.