Career Readiness Programs
STEP (SNAP Training and Employment Program)
Helping SNAP recipients find high wage and high demand jobs through LBCC
If you are a SNAP recipient, the STEP Program offers an opportunity to get job training
through LBCC’s short-term certificate programs and certain AAS programs, allowing one
to enter the workforce with the necessary skills to succeed in a fulfilling, family-wage
career. Participants can get help completing the first steps to accessing training
programs, such as GED and English Language Acquisition classes, educational planning
and funding assistance, college navigation and more. STEP also offers resume and cover
letter writing assistance, interview skills prep and mock interviews for those looking
to go to work immediately, and referrals to additional community resources for support
throughout the job training and job search process.
Am I eligible?
You must be a SNAP recipient able to work upon completing the program. Please complete the STEP Interest form. We'll contact you shortly and include information about how to take your first steps to prepare for STEP.
IMPORTANT: TANF recipients are not eligible for enrollment in STEP, but if you are nearing the
end of TANF enrollment, please complete the STEP Interest form so we can explore your
post-TANF options.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is free to enroll in STEP. There may be costs associated with tuition if you enroll in a certificate program, but your Student Success Specialist will work with you to find additional funding beyond the tuition assistance provided by STEP.
You must still apply for admission to LBCC and register for your classes once you have decided on a training program.
STEP participants have access to assistance for transportation for training and education-related purposes.
For those without a high school diploma or limited English proficiency, finding a job that pays the bills can be difficult. STEP can assist with the cost of GED and English language classes and testing. To find orientation dates for GED, Spanish GED, and ELA classes, review these upcoming orientation dates. When you have selected which date you would like to start, make an appointment with your Student Success Specialist to begin.
Yes! If you are not sure what kind of job you want to pursue you can take a quiz about
your personality and interests. O*Net Career Interest Profiler will assess your results and match you to exciting and rewarding careers. And, taking
the Holland Code Quiz can help determine what career path(s) might work best for you.
Databases like Quality Info and the Occupational Outlook Handbook use data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Oregon Employment Department to
provide the latest information about jobs that might interest you before you apply.
Once you select an occupation, you can read about what career professionals do on
the job, how to become qualified, and what the growth potential and wage range for
that job is in your area.
There are many options for funding your education. STEP offers up to $1000 for tuition and fees, and $150 for books and supplies. Your program may cost more, so here are some resources to get started. If you need assistance with filling out any application, please schedule an appointment with your Student Success Specialist.
Start here: Many need-based scholarship applications require that you have already completed
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before you will be able to receive
the scholarship funds. This is also the application for Pell grants, federal student
loans, and the Oregon Opportunity and Oregon Promise grants.
Start Your FAFSA »
WIOA Scholarship: Community Services Consortium’s vocational scholarship offers up to $3000 for short-term
training programs in Linn and Benton counties. This scholarship is funded under the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Learn more and apply for the CSC WIOA Scholarship »
Linn-Benton Community College Scholarships and Grants: Need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants are available from LBCC. Some
are program-specific, some are based on the level of need of the student, or both.
Learn more and apply for LBCC Scholarships »
Oregon-specific Scholarships and Grants: You may qualify for many scholarships offered within the state of Oregon, based on
where you went to high school, where you parents worked, your household composition,
your major, your interests, and many other categories. Fill out one application to
apply for hundreds of scholarships through this database.
Learn more and apply for Oregon Scholarships and Grants »
Scholarships for Immigrant Students: World Education Services provides a scholarship-finding tool that searches databases
for scholarships based on the student’s home country.
Find World Education Scholarships »
Additional Scholarships: FastWeb is a database of scholarships from private and public organizations, employers,
individuals, and non-profits from all over the US. There are thousands of scholarships
available, some with unique application processes (making a video that shows how to
fix something, writing an essay that describes your love of coffee, even answering
quiz questions about geography and movies). Create a profile to see what scholarships
you might be able to receive.
View FastWeb’s database of scholarships »
Students who are not eligible for federal financial aid may still be eligible to file
the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) for college funding. By filling out the
ORSAA Questionnaire, you can find out which financial aid application you should file
and steps you can take to become eligible.
Learn more and fill out the ORSAA Questionnaire »
Were you educated outside of the United States? Use these tools from World Education
Services to find out how your credentials compare in the US.
Use these Degree and GPA Equivalency Tools »
Upwardly Global helps work-authorized immigrants, refugees, asylees, and Special Immigrant
Visa holders (SIVs) restart their professional careers in the United States. Register
to get access to resources for licensure, job search and more.
Learn more about Upwardly Global »
STEP can assist with the cost of GED and English language classes and testing.
Find an upcoming orientation date for GED, Spanish GED, and ELA classes. »
Most jobs now require an online application as well as an attached resume and cover letter. STEP offers assistance with creating, proofreading, updating, and feedback on written materials for job applications, as well as knowing what to expect in the interview and how to make a good first impression. We also offer mock interviews that will provide you with feedback ahead of time, so that you can make sure to make a good first impression and have a better chance at getting a call back from the employer.
Complete or update an iMatchSkills profile and/or study and register for the National
Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).
iMatchSkills matches current, local job openings to the profile you create so that
you can find job listings that correspond to your skills, experience, and interest.
An iMatchSkills account is the first step to enrolling in STEP, as well as registering
for workshops for job seekers (including the NCRC) at your local Worksource Oregon
office.
If you already have an account, log in with your username and password and make sure
that your information is current. If not, click on “Create an Account” and follow
the instructions. Once you have created a profile and logged in, you can study for
the NCRC by clicking the link that says “Work-Related Skills Review” under the Resources
and Services heading.
Visit the iMatchSkills Register/Login page to get started »
Yes! The Roadrunner Resource Center allows you to complete a quick profile to discover benefits and resources in your area.
You can also meet with an LBCC Resource Navigator to find ways to afford:
- Childcare
- Groceries
- Rent
- Healthcare
- Utilities
For more information, email singlestopatlbcc@linnbenton.edu.
The easiest way to find exactly what kind of help you need in your area is to dial
211 on your phone, or go to 211info.org and use the Search Engine function. There, you can enter your location and other
information, and then click on the service you need to see a list of contact information
for organizations that provide that assistance.
Access the 211 Resource Search Engine »
Community Services Consortium has compiled a Resource Guide, a handbook of phone numbers,
addresses, and websites for hundreds of organizations that provide assistance of all
kinds in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties.
View the complete guide CSC Resource Guide »
Don’t hesitate to contact your Student Success Specialist for referrals.
For information about placement testing, including hours, how to schedule your test, and sample test questions, review this Placement Testing information.
Contact Us
Jessi Walker, Student Success Specialist
Email: walkerje@linnbenton.edu
Phone: 541-917-4695
Office: Willamette Hall, WH-213
Julie Larsen, Student Success Specialist
Email: larsenj@linnbenton.edu
Phone: 541-917-4637
Office: Willamette Hall, WH-210
About STEP
STEP (formerly known as SNAP 50-50) was launched at Linn-Benton Community College in October 2016.
The SNAP Training and Employment Program (STEP) is a federally-recognized Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) Program. In a partnership of Linn-Benton Community College through the Oregon Community College Consortia and Oregon Department of Human Services, STEP assists SNAP participants receive job skills training, find work, or gain experience that will increase their ability to secure and maintain employment in a family-wage job. Participation in STEP is voluntary, and is a qualifying service for allowing able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) to maintain access to vital supplemental food assistance while attending college. STEP participation includes a needs assessment, training and employment-related activities, and wraparound support services. To learn more about SNAP E&T programs, please visit the United States Department of Agriculture’s SNAP E&T resource page.