JobReady Supports Program

Students must meet the following eligibility:

• Ramsey County resident.
• Currently attending high school.
• Low-income (free or reduced lunch qualified).
• Have an immediate barrier to employment or training that can be resolved with $300 or less.

Ramsey County will work with school partners to provide financial assistance to remove or reduce barriers to students obtaining employment or occupational training.

Some examples of the use of funds may include:

• Purchasing uniforms, shoes, or tools for work.
• Transportation support (gas card, Metro Transit pass, car repairs).
• Occupational training or testing fees.

Students cannot apply for themselves. Rather, staff members identified at local high schools, have been trained and can complete a referral for individual students. If a student is interested, please contact the social worker or work-based learning coordinator at your school for support.  

Referral form

Once an application is submitted and received, a Ramsey County staff member will reach out with an official confirmation.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The following questions and answers may be helpful for the referral process.

What information should be included in the application submission?

Teachers should submit information that details the barrier to employment, how the funds will address the immediate barrier, and the type of employment. The more information provided, the smoother the approval process can be. If more information is required, a Ramsey County staff member will reach out to you.

What are some examples that funds can be used for?

Examples for use of fund include:

1. Purchasing uniforms, shoes, or tools for work.
2. Transportation support (gas card, Metro Transit pass, car repairs).
3. Occupational training or testing fees.

What if a partner requests an amount over $300?

Submissions from partners requesting over $300 for an individual student will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

What is needed to process a vendor payment?

To process a vendor payment, please:

1. Fill out and submit JobReady Supports application.
2. Email a copy of the W9 for the vendor, along with an invoice for the student(s) to [email protected].

Can the funds be used to address a barrier later?

The purpose of this fund is to remove an immediate barrier for students. If the barrier that needs to be addressed will occur later, please re-submit when the time is closer.

Is this fund first-come, first-serve?

Yes.

Can I request a Target gift card to purchase another gift card?

No, the gift card should be used at the designated retailer.

Will the county consider adding other types of gift cards?

For the moment, the gift cards we can purchase are limited to Target, Speedway and Metro Transit.

Will students receive one gift card with the total amount?

No, each gift card has a value of $50, with students receiving the number of gift cards to equal the total amount requested.

I am worried about giving students the entire amount. Can I hold onto the cards and give them out one at a time as needed?

No, students must receive the full amount.