BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — A new program offers up to four thousand dollars for qualifying adults in 11 Missouri counties who want to further their education or complete a degree.

“Jump Start Your Future” is a partnership of the Northeast Missouri Workforce Development Board, Connections to Success and the not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC).

The deadline to register is Oct. 31. Applicants must be 18 or older and meet income guidelines. Those who receive food stamps, have gotten unemployment payments in the past or are currently displaced from a job automatically qualify.

The program covers Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Shelby and Warren. Additional assistance and client monitoring will be available.

The program is funded through a $458,000 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant awarded to Workforce Development.

Here’s how it will work:

*NECAC will take applications and make referrals to Workforce Development and Connections. Those who qualify will be given a career or training assessment by Workforce.

*Connections to Success will hold professional development and job readiness, starting in September.

*Workforce, Connections and NECAC will work with clients to enroll them in college, trade school or training programs done in-person or virtually. Applicants will also be referred to NECAC Community Services for intake assessments and possible program assistance.

*Maximum annual income to qualify is $19,140 for one person; $25,860 for a two-person household; $32,580 for three people; $39,300 for four; $46,020 for five; and $52,740 for six.

For more information, or to apply, call NECAC Housing Development at 573-324-6622.