The Program at BC3 KEYS
Christie Denniston BC3 social work, criminology and fine arts student. KEYS participant.
What is KEYS?
KEYS is a program designed to help students who are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and/or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and who attend a Pennsylvania community college.
KEYS connects eligible students to support services and resources that help students to succeed. Benefits for students participating in the KEYS Program at BC3 include:
• Additional academic support and tutoring, and career counseling
• A liaison to the county assistance office, support in maintaining compliance and reaching established goals
• A connection to other community service agencies
Eligibility
If you are a recipient of TANF and/or SNAP benefits and enrolled or plan to enroll at BC3, you may qualify for the KEYS Program at BC3.
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KEYS helped a lot with having calculators, laptops and textbooks. Whatever you needed. It would have been extremely hard to complete (my degree) without KEYS.
Zoe Sims
BC3 Class of 2023 honors graduate. Former KEYS participant.
The median annual income for full-time workers age 25 and older with an associate degree in 2023 was $55,016.
-- U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics
Support Services
Help with the following is offered by the county assistance office and may be available to eligible students participating in the
• Child care (ELRC)
• Transportation (mileage/bus pass)
• Car purchase (TANF only)
• Car repairs
• Fees to obtain a driver’s license, license plate, vehicle registration and inspection (TANF only)
• Registration fees for programs or training
• Textbooks and supplies required for training
• Test fees
The KEYS Program at BC3 also provides the following support services:
• Loaned laptop and graphing calculators
• Lending library resources
• Incentives/participant reimbursements
• Additional tutoring hours
• KEYS Computer Learning Center
• Textbook loan program
The KEYS Program is offered on BC3’s main campus, and at BC3 @ Armstrong, BC3 @ Brockway, BC3 @ Cranberry, BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing and BC3 @ LindenPointe.
KEYS helped pay for my books and loaned me a graphing calculator. Without KEYS it would have been a heck of a lot harder. I probably would have taken longer because I would have had to work more while I was in school and my grades wouldn’t have been as good as they were.
Debra Hoffman BC3 Class of 2024 honors graduate. Former KEYS participant.
