MJ Foster Promise Program
What is the M.J. Foster Promise Program?
The M.J. Foster Promise Program will be administered by the Board of Regents through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. Students are able to apply now. All public two-year postsecondary institutions in Louisiana are eligible training providers as well as accredited proprietary schools licensed by the Board of Regents.
CLICK HERE to be contacted for MJ Foster Registration Assistance
The M.J. Foster Promise Program will be available to all Louisiana residents (21 years or older) with individual student awards available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will qualify for financial support to earn credentials that align to high-demand jobs in growing industry sectors, such as construction, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics. Click here to view the list of approved qualified programs.
Eligibility Requirements
Check below to see if you are eligible!
- Meet a family income that does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Level or be unemployed or underemployed for six months prior to receiving grant.
- Household of 1 = $38,640
- Household of 2 = $52,260
- Household of 3 = $65,880
- Household of 4 = $79,500
- Household of 5 = $93,120
- To view the most updated poverty thresholds and for households of six or more, visit the U.S. ASPE webpage for more information.
- Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent or co-enroll in a qualified program of study and in a program to earn high school credential.
- Have not previously earned an undergraduate degree at the associate level or above.
- Be a Louisiana resident and U.S. Citizen.
- Commit to reside in Louisiana one year after completion and to perform 20 hours of community service, an internship, or a mentorship annually to maintain the award.
The M.J. Foster Promise Program will serve as a “last dollar” award, which means all applicants will be required to complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for other sources of federal aid or demonstrate eligibility for federal aid. The Promise funds would apply to any balances after federal, state, or institutional aid has been disbursed, so award amounts will differ student by student.
The Promise funds can be used over a period of three years to cover tuition and fees, but no additional funds will be rebated to students. Lifetime individual caps on the awards will match the maximum TOPS Tech benefit in current law ($6,400). The award amount is $3,200 per award year. Student may receive maximum award amount of $6,400 if enrolled in a high-cost program. If a student does not meet the continuation requirements, like the other programs, they can file for an exception.
There are three easy steps to receiving funds from the M.J. Foster Promise Program:
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Complete an Nunez Community College Application.
- Complete an application with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
Contact LOSFA staff at MJFoster.Promise@la.gov for more information.
Eligible Programs
Please click the + sign next to one of the five industries below to expand the listing and see which programs are currently available for the MJ Foster Promise Program.
Electricians install and maintain residential, commercial, and industrial electrical and power systems.
Depending on their level of skill and certification, some electricians perform more complex maintenance and repair tasks such as repairing factory generators, motors and transformers. Electricians also offer advice on equipment safety.
The Student Learning Outcomes for this program are:
- Students will be able to create a safe working environment by practicing safe work procedures in the electrical field.
- Students will be able to design an electrical project using the National Electric Code (NEC).
- Students will be able to collaborate with fellow electricians and other tradesmen on projects using all necessary written and verbal communication.
- Students will be able to use proper tools to install, diagnose and repair electrical circuits and equipment.
Students will learn to build, install, maintain and repair electrical systems that provide heat, light, and/or power for residential, commercial and industrial structures through courses offering a combination of theory and hands-on learning.
Please see our Electrical Construction - Advanced Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
The Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program utilizes technical classroom instruction and real-life, hands-on lab exercises in shop for gainful employment opportunities as entry-level air conditioning and refrigeration helpers, installers, mechanics, and technicians.
Program Outcomes:
- Demonstrate the skills needed for entry and advanced career levels in air conditioning and refrigeration.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and safely use tools needed for air conditioning and refrigeration repairs.
- Evaluate, apply, and perform suggested repair or replacement of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment for normal operation.
Please see our Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
NCCCO (National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators)
Crane Operation/Operator-NCCCO-Beginner
This program includes the preparation class, written exam, practical exam, all NCCCO fees, and NCCCO certification upon passing each of the exams. This course, offered during the day, is designed for those individuals who have little to no experience in crane operations and upon successful completion will have a full grasp on crane operations and the theory and fundamentals behind it. Forty hours of actual seat time in a crane are included.
Rigging-NCCCO Beginner
This one-week Rigging 1 Beginner program includes NCCCO Rigging 1 preparation class, written exam, practical exam, all NCCCO fees, and NCCCO certification upon passing each of the exams. This class is for those individuals that have little to no experience with Rigging equipment, applications, and terminology.
Please check back later for more information on this program.
The Nursing Assistant Career and Technical Certificate (CNA) prepares students to provide basic bedside care and comfort to patients and residents in multiple healthcare settings, including: long-term care, hospitals, home health care, and other health care facilities.
Please see our Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
The Emergency Medical Services Education programs prepare students to function as practitioners in the pre-hospital emergency medical environment. These curricula meet the requirements of local, state, and national accrediting agencies. Students who complete these programs successfully are eligible to take the National Registry Examinations. Certified EMTs find employment in pre-hospital healthcare, fire departments, emergency dispatch, security and safety settings.
Emergency Medical Services Education is a limited admissions program. All applicants must consult with the EMT faculty prior to enrolling in Emergency Medical Services Education (EMSE) courses. To enroll in the EMT Career and Technical Certificate Program, (CTC), students must have completed all developmental reading requirements. Students must have the permission of the EMT faculty to begin the program.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) is a mid-level provider of prehospital emergency medical services.
Before entering the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician program, students must complete BIOL 1010 Intro Anatomy and Physiology and BIOL 1020 Intro Anatomy & Physiology Lab with a grade of “C” or better.
Please see our Emergency Medical Responder Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
The Emergency Medical Services Education programs prepare students to function as practitioners in the pre-hospital emergency medical environment. These curricula meet the requirements of local, state, and national accrediting agencies. Students who complete these programs successfully are eligible to take the National Registry Examinations. Certified EMTs find employment in pre-hospital healthcare, fire departments, emergency dispatch, security and safety settings.
Emergency Medical Services Education is a limited admissions program. All applicants must consult with the EMT faculty prior to enrolling in Emergency Medical Services Education (EMSE) courses. To enroll in the EMT Career and Technical Certificate Program, (CTC), students must have completed all developmental reading requirements. Students must have the permission of the EMT faculty to begin the program.
EMTs are clinicians, trained to respond quickly to emergency situations regarding medical issues, traumatic injuries and accident scenes.
Please see our Emergency Medical Basic Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
The Emergency Medical Services Education programs prepare students to function as practitioners in the pre-hospital emergency medical environment. These curricula meet the requirements of local, state, and national accrediting agencies. Students who complete these programs successfully are eligible to take the National Registry Examinations. Certified EMTs find employment in pre-hospital healthcare, fire departments, emergency dispatch, security and safety settings.
Emergency Medical Services Education is a limited admissions program. All applicants must consult with the EMT faculty prior to enrolling in Emergency Medical Services Education (EMSE) courses. To enroll in the EMT Career and Technical Certificate Program, (CTC), students must have completed all developmental reading requirements. Students must have the permission of the EMT faculty to begin the program.
To enroll in the Paramedic C.T.S. program, students must:
- Be currently listed on the National Registry of EMT as an EMT or AEMT and maintain NREMT certification and Louisiana licensure as an EMT or AEMT during enrollment;
- Be eligible to enroll in MATH 0990 Foundations of Algebra II;
- Be eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010 English Composition I
- Document evidence of current professional-level proficiency in CPR.
Before entering the Paramedic Program, students must complete BIOL 1010 Intro Anatomy and Physiology and BIOL 1020 Intro Anatomy & Physiology Lab with
a grade of “C” or better.
Program Outcomes:
- Cognitive-Upon completion of the program, the student will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, analyze, and evaluate information relevant to his or her role as an entry level Paramedic as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum goals and objectives.
- Psychomotor-Upon completion of the program, the student will demonstrate technical proficiency in all the skills necessary to fulfill the role of an entry level Paramedic.
- Affective-Upon completion of the program, the student will demonstrate personal behavior consistent with professional employer expectations for entry level Paramedic.
Please see our Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic & Refresher for a full list of courses.
Medical Coding and Billing professionals are in demand in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, and insurance agencies. Some even work online and remotely from home for clients around the world.
The Student Learning Outcomes for this program are:
- Students use proper medical terms.
- Students evaluate the administration of medical organizations.
- Students demonstrate managerial skills.
- Students demonstrate accurate CPT.
- Students demonstrate accurate ICD-10.
Graduates of our Certificate of Applied Science in Medical Coding and Billing are proficient in medical terminology, coding, billing and legal aspects of the medical industry.
Please see our Medical Billing & Coding Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
Patient care technicians are allied health professionals who provide direct patient care within their regulated scope of practice. They perform basic nursing assistant tasks (as delegated by the nursing or medical staff) which may include obtaining patient vital signs and other data, communicating with the healthcare team and patients, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), complying with confidentiality requirements, and performing EKGs and phlebotomy tasks.
- Students communicate effectively through writing, speaking, listening, reading, and interpersonal skills in both the classroom and clinical setting.
- Students demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics and legal responsibilities.
- Students apply infection control guidelines including techniques for maintaining isolation.
- Students exhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills to locate, analyze, and apply information in career planning and employment.
- Students model work readiness traits required for success in the workplace including integrity, honesty, accountability, punctuality, time management and respect for diversity.
Please see our Patient Care Technician Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
Electrocardiograph (EKG) technicians, also known as cardio graphic or electrocardiogram technicians, perform diagnostic tests to aid doctors in identifying and treating cardiovascular problems in patients. These tests help detect irregularities that may result in a heart attack or heart disease. CTC can be taken alone or as part of the Patient Care Technician CTS.
Please see our Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
Phlebotomists are people trained to draw blood from a patient for clinical or medical testing, transfusions, donations, or research. Phlebotomists collect blood primarily by performing venipunctures (or, for collection of minute quantities of blood, finger sticks). CTC can be taken alone or as part of the Patient Care Technician CTS.
Please see our Phlebotomy Technician Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
The Practical Nursing (PN) Program is designed to prepare students to become Licensed Practical Nurses. Students spend the first part of the program building the foundations of nursing care in the classroom and laboratory setting. As the program progresses, it provides clinical learning experiences under the direct supervision of qualified instructors. At the end of the program, the curriculum begins to focus on the profession of nursing and preparing the student for the licensing process. Graduates of the Practical Nursing Program are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Practical Nurses. The student must pass the NCLEX PN to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
The Practical Nursing program is accredited by Louisiana State Board Practical Nursing Examiners (LSBPNE).
A practical nurse cares for the sick, participates in the prevention of illness, and assists in the rehabilitation of patients. A licensed practical nurse must practice under the direction of one of the following: licensed physician, optometrist, dentist, psychologist, registered nurse or licensed independent practitioner. Licensed Practical Nurses find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, community healthcare agencies, schools, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
The Nunez Community College Practical Nursing program is a limited and competitive admission program. The number of qualified applicants may exceed the number of positions in a class. Individuals who are not selected into the class for which they apply will be given the opportunity to be considered for the next scheduled class by written request only. Applicants to the Practical Nursing Program must be registered students at Nunez Community College and meet all admission requirements of the College before applying to the nursing program.
Please see our Nursing - Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Catalog Page for a full list of courses and criteria for admissions.
This program is designed to provide students with the skills and training necessary to sit for and successfully complete a variety of Microsoft Technology Associate Certifications. These certifications will enable students to gain employment in IT and Business Administrative fields. According to Microsoft data, the types of certifications which will be incorporated into the proposed coursework can increase wage opportunities by as much as $16,000 per year.
Please see our Microsoft Office Suite Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
This program is designed to provide students with the skills and training necessary to sit for and successfully complete a variety of Microsoft Technology Associate Certifications. These certifications will enable students to gain employment in IT and Business Administrative fields. According to Microsoft data, the types of certifications which will be incorporated into the proposed coursework can increase wage opportunities by as much as $16,000 per year.
Please see our Software Development Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
This program is designed to provide students with the skills and training necessary to sit for and successfully complete a variety of Microsoft Technology Associate Certifications. These certifications will enable students to gain employment in IT and Business Administrative fields. According to Microsoft data, the types of certifications which will be incorporated into the proposed coursework can increase wage opportunities by as much as $16,000 per year.
Please see our Advanced Application Fundamentals Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
Nunez Community College launched its Cloud Computing Program in the Spring 2021 Semester. This program is part of a statewide Pilot Program between Amazon Web Services and the Community Colleges of Louisiana signed on by Governor Bel Edwards and will extend to K12 High School Students as well as 4-year Colleges in Louisiana.
The purpose of the program is to train students for the job requirements of Amazon Cloud Services, as well as other Cloud Services Providers, such as Google or Microsoft. Already many users are using Cloud computing Services, such as Google’s Gmail or Google Apps, or Microsoft’s Office 365 and One Drive.
Currently, Information Technology is implemented either as On Premise (Hardware and Software handled by In-House IT Staff with IT Hardware on Site), Hybrid (Data Storage handled by In-House IT Staff and stored on IT Hardware On Site as well as Backups on Cloud Based Hardware but many services provided by the Cloud– favored by banks and hospitals), or Full Cloud (All Hardware, Storage and IT Services provided by Cloud Service Providers and administered remotely via the Internet).
The Nunez Cloud Computing Program prepares students for all three IT Implementation situations, by offering a curriculum that focuses on a strong On Premise foundation consisting of MS Windows and Linux Desktop and Server Administration, Lan and WAN Networking, as well as IT Security for Systems and Networks. The curriculum then addresses how to apply these skills to Cloud Based Server Administration, Cloud Based Network Administration, and Security Administration for Cloud Based Servers and Networks.
Job Opportunities for Cloud Based Information Technology Professionals are excellent and offer Graduates of the Nunez Community College Cloud Computing Program a great financial future with a high potential for upward mobility.
Please see our Cloud Computing Fundamentals Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
Please check back later for more information on this program.
The Technical Diploma in Industrial Maintenance instructs students in the design, installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of complex industrial machinery. They diagnose and solve equipment problems using a wide array of skills, including: tool expertise, error analysis, machinery upkeep, small-scale fabrication , and electrical work. These technicians are educated in safety procedures in order to endure the success of production in industries. Students choose from a variety of classes from the Construction, Electrical Construction, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, and Welding Programs to make their personalized Degree.
Please see our Industrial Maintenance Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
The Instrumentation Technician Program provides classroom and hands on training that allows students to develop the knowledge and skills to successfully perform the tasks required of an entry level Instrument Fitter and Technician.
Instrument Fitters and technicians perform key installation and maintenance functions across several industries and are trained in piping, tubing, fasteners, and working with metal production. Instrumentation technicians and fitters must be familiar with electrical systems, craft-specific drawings and must be experts in the hand and power tools specific to their trade.
The Student Learning Outcomes for this program are:
- Apply knowledge of instrumentation components in their function in industrial processes.
- Describe process control.
- Identify various methods of controlling instrumentation in industry.
- Apply knowledge of electrical fundamentals in its use in instrumentation.
Please see our Instrument Technician Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
The PTEC program prepares students to become process technicians and operators who control and monitor systems that keep plants running efficiently and safely.
The Associate of Applied Science in Process Technology program is accredited by the Association of Technology Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), as well as by the North American Process Technology Alliance (NAPTA).
The Student Learning Outcomes for this program are:
- Students demonstrate an understanding of safety, health, and environmental policy and exhibit this behavior. Students apply safe work practices.
- Students demonstrate an understanding of the maintenance and operation of process equipment. Students apply the reasoning behind proper equipment line up, safety, and process concerns while operating process equipment.
- Students demonstrate an understanding of the technical aspects of the process technology. Students apply skills and knowledge systems and troubleshooting ability.
- Students communicate clearly, effectively, and concisely in both verbal and written form, including the ability to interpret and carry out SOP and EOP.
- Students demonstrate and apply the following work ethics:
- Dependability,
- Quality of work,
- Work attitude,
- Adaptability,
- Human Relations Skills.
Please see our Process Technology Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
Skilled Welders are always in high-demand. Basic welders, like tack welders, fuse metals together with heat, while more skilled welders like construction and fitter welders work in more complex environments, joining beams and other structures, or assembling and repairing piping systems.
The Certificate of Technical Studies program gives students the knowledge they need to start out in any of the many career options for welders.
The Student Learning Outcomes for this programs are:
- Students learn and practice industrial safety rules and regulations at OSHA standards.
- Students learn and practice: using industrial tools; cutting metal; prepping metal for fabrication; setting up and properly using welding machinery; and how to prep for and pass a bend test for welding certification.
- Students learn and practice the skills necessary to successfully weld at industry standards in all levels of SMAW, MIG, Flux-core, TIG, Open Root, and Pipe welding.
- Students are given the opportunity to test with an American Welding Society inspector for certification at the end of each term.
Please see our Welding Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
The Coastal Studies and GIS Technology program prepares students for coastal focused careers with a focus on GIS technology skills and instruction in coastal and environmental science. The program blends instruction in technical skills, regulatory information, and science to produce completers who have valuable skills to apply to the sector and have a thorough understanding of the complicated problems of the environment to be informed advocates for coastal stewardship and be a part of innovative solutions.
The Student Learning Outcomes for this program are:
- Demonstrate knowledge of physical setting of Louisiana’s coastal zone, its resources, ecosystems, biodiversity, nature and human-induced environmental and geomorphological changes, environmental sustainability and stewardship, relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental theoretical concepts, methods, techniques, and applications of geospatial technologies (RS/GIS).
- Demonstrate an ability to compile, organize, process, analyze, and present geospatial data using a variety of RS/GIS software for a variety of coastal-focused applications and problem solving.
Please see our Coastal GIS: Surveying Skills Catalog Page for a full list of courses.
Truck, Bus and Other Commercial Vehicle Operator Instructional Program prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to drive trucks and other commercial vehicles. This course prepares students to obtain a class A commercial driver's license in Louisiana through theoretical and hands on exercises. Training includes classroom meetings, parking lot practicum, and road exercises totally over 160 contact hours.