The Federal Pell Grant provides financial aid to eligible students attending college to help cover tuition and other educational expenses. This is a grant, so it does not need to be repaid, making it a valuable resource for those who qualify based on financial need. To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) found below and check with the financial aid office for additional details.

Colleges use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine how much financial aid students are eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans. Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs can fill out a FAFSA. Students must apply for financial aid every year and submit any required documents to the financial aid office.

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows undocumented students and other eligible non-citizens to apply for state and institutional financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and fee waivers, which do not need to be repaid, to help cover college costs, such as tuition and other educational expenses. To apply, complete the CADAA online, and be sure to submit any required documents to the financial aid office.

This program provides money that does not need to be paid back to eligible college students with financial need. Foster youth in care after age 13 or students with dependents can get up to an additional $6,000 per year (on top of the maximum benefit) for non-tuition costs like rent and books.

To qualify for the student parent supplemental award, you must have dependent children under 18 years of age for whom you provide more than half of their financial support during the academic year. You must complete the FAFSA or CADAA to be considered for this grant, and complete a GPA verification form if your school has not already done so automatically. 

The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth provides financial support for current and former foster youth under the age of 26, helping them pursue their educational goals. This grant offers up to $5,000 per year for up to five years to help cover tuition, living expenses, and other college-related costs. To qualify, you must demonstrate financial need and meet certain eligibility criteria. You must complete the FAFSA or CADAA to be considered for this grant. To learn more about eligibility and apply, visit the Chafee Grant Application website.

The Child Development Center (CDC) at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is a fully licensed childcare facility located on LTCC's campus. Licensed for 46 children aged 6 weeks through pre-kindergarten or 6 years, the CDC is a model facility for Early Childhood Education students. With a proud history of serving families in the Lake Tahoe community for thirty years, the CDC has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of parents and children, providing a nurturing environment for early learning and development. 

To be placed on the waitlist, please complete this fillable form and email it to cdc@ltcc.edu.

Tahoe Parents Nursery School enriches the lives of families through a cooperative preschool that is enhanced by a parent education program. The school offers a developmentally appropriate early childhood education in an environment rich with music, movement and art. The program teaches and models appropriate parenting skills and offers a spirit of community to our families.

Visit the TPNS website for more information.

The CONNECT Community Education program at Lake Tahoe Community College provides our community with opportunities for education, enrichment, and adventure for all ages. CONNECT workshops cover a wide range of interests, from cooking and fitness to professional development and kids camps for budding athletes, artists, and actors. CONNECT is for curious students of all ages who want to keep developing and improving their skills, career options, and personal interests and health throughout their lives.

CONNECT is a self-supporting program offering workshops that are attractively priced. Financial assistance for our popular kid workshops and camps is available!

You can find the registration page for the Spanish Bridge Language Academy and other workshops for kids at this website.

The California Child Care Resource & Referral Network helps families find local child care providers throughout California. This service connects families with licensed providers, offering guidance on selecting safe and quality child care that meets each family's specific needs. To get started, visit the network’s website.

Catalyst Community is operated by Catalyst Family Inc., which is overseen by the Board of Directors and a committed leadership team. Catalyst Community has provided innovative childcare solutions to support children, families, and childcare providers since 1976 in several northern California counties- see our locations.

We believe that when families have the services/support they need, they will be able to raise competent, capable children. Catalyst Community manages a variety of programs that support and strengthen the communities we serve through:

• Resource and Referral Services
• Subsidized Child Care Services
• Parent and Provider Services

Head Start and Early Head Start provide free child care and early childhood education for children from birth to age five, supporting low-income families. These programs, funded by both federal and state sources, offer comprehensive services, including early learning, health screenings, and family support resources to ensure children are ready to succeed in school. Families can also access additional support services tailored to their needs. To see if you qualify and to apply, visit the Head Start website or contact a local Head Start provider.

The CalWORKs Child Care program helps low-income families access and afford child care so parents can work, attend school, or participate in training. CalWorks provides financial assistance for child care services, covering children from birth through age 12. This support ensures that parents can pursue employment or education while their children receive quality care. To learn more about eligibility and apply, visit the CalWORKs Child Care website.

Local child care programs provide financial assistance for child care to support families with children from birth to age 12. These state and federal programs offer a range of early learning and after-school services, including care for babies, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and children in kindergarten through sixth grade. To find available child care programs near you, use the provider search. To learn about eligibility, you can visit this website.

The California State Preschool Program (CSPP) offers free or low-cost preschool for three- and four- year-old children from income-eligible families who meet certain requirements. Part-day and full-day options are available and include meals and developmental screenings for children. This state program is administered through local educational agencies, colleges, nonprofits, and other licensed providers. To find a CSPP program near you, contact your local school district or educational agency.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program provides job training, career coaching, and employment support services to help individuals gain the skills needed for quality employment. WIOA offers resources such as job search assistance, resume building, educational opportunities, and job placement services. This program is available through American Job Centers, which are located nationwide. To find your local center and learn about available services, visit this website. 

The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program provides monthly financial assistance to help low-income individuals and families pay for housing. Voucher amounts are based on household income and local rental costs, allowing recipients to secure safe and affordable housing. Vouchers can be used for various housing options, including current residences, provided they meet the safety and health standards and the landlord participates in the program. To find the nearest Public Housing Agency and learn more, visit this website.

The CalWORKs Homeless Assistance program provides financial support for essential needs to low-income families, including food, rent, and other basic expenses. It also offers assistance to prevent eviction or secure temporary housing. This program can help cover costs such as security deposits, last month’s rent, up to two months of past-due rent to avoid eviction, and up to 16 days of temporary housing expenses (up to $145 per day for hotel or motel stays). To learn more about eligibility and apply, visit the CalWORKs website or contact your local Department of Social Services office.

2-1-1 is a free, confidential service that connects individuals and families to essential resources within their community. Whether you need help with food, mental health, health care, housing, transportation, utility assistance, legal aid, job training, after-school programs, disaster relief, or other services, 2-1-1 can guide you to the right support. You can dial 2-1-1 directly and explain the type of assistance you are seeking or visit the 2-1-1 website to search for resources online.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households manage their energy costs by providing a one-time payment to assist with heating or cooling bills. In addition, LIHEAP offers in-home weatherization services to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the health and safety of your home. To learn more about eligibility and to apply, visit the LIHEAP website.

The Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) provides monthly financial assistance to low-income individuals who are blind, disabled, or 65 years of age or older. This program allows most students to work without their SSI benefit decreasing. This is known as the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE), which lets students keep the first $2,220 in earnings each month without affecting the countable earned income calculation. But, there is an annual cap of $8,950, so if you earn more than this in any given year, the income starts counting towards the earned income calculation again. To learn more about eligibility and apply, you can visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) website, visit your local SSA office, or call 1-800-772-1213.