Expanded Income Eligibility for Travis County & City of Austin
Updated: October 22, 2024
BIG NEWS — Residents of Travis County and/or City of Austin have until September 2025 to qualify under our NEW income guidelines and secure their seats in our Career Expressway program. The Career Expressway offers full tuition assistance, textbooks, and more. Residents who apply and get accepted during this temporary extension period will continue to be eligible even after it expires. Once enrolled, you will not need to reapply or reconfirm your eligibility. You will get to choose from a number of degree programs and your entire college education will be completely FREE to you. Capital IDEA will provide career guidance and financial assistance every semester through to your graduation and job placement:
● We will pay your full tuition each semester, purchase your textbooks, and pay for miscellaneous fees including required tools and uniforms.
● We’ll also offer childcare assistance to parents.
● Once you’ve earned your degree, we’ll guide you in your job search and help you land your dream job. It’s our mission is to get you into a new career, and we’ll be with you until you’ve accepted a good job offer!
How much have our income guidelines changed?
Previously, the maximum income an applicant could make was based on 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For a family of four, monthly income was capped at $5,200 a month. Under our expanded income guidelines, the income cap is 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. A family of four can now earn up to $6,500 a month. Use the chart below to find out what your maximum income is based on your household size. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, take the next step! Sign up for a CareerUp information session. We’ll cover everything you need to know about how to get your FREE degree through our Career Expressway program!
CHART: Expanded Income Eligibility for Travis County by Household Size
| Household Size | Monthly Household Income |
|---|---|
| Travis County / City of Austin | Max Income 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| 1 | $3,138 |
| 2 | $4,259 |
| 3 | $5,379 |
| 4 | $6,500 |
| 5 | $7,621 |
| 6 | $8,741 |
| 7 | $9,863 |
| 8 | $10,984 |
For a full list of qualifications, please visit: Qualifications »
To get started, sign up for a CareerUp information session: Sign up »
FAQ: Why is this program FREE?
We’re a nonprofit with a mission to get our Central Texas neighbors into great careers. Each year, Capital IDEA raises enough money to pay for tuition and textbooks for over 800 adults, like you! If you’re eligible for our program, your tuition and textbooks are already paid for by the generous support of our funders, including the City of Austin, Travis County, and St. David’s Foundation. Get started with your FREE education — Sign up now»
To apply, sign up for an info session: CareerUp »
For questions: 512-457-8610 or outreach@capitalidea.org
Quick links: Qualifications | Career Directory | FAQs
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWS & EVENTS | Don’t miss our next blog post!