The Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship Board has approved tuition funding to pilot eight short-term workforce certificate programs with three Say Yes partner institutions beginning in fall 2025. These programs all meet the high demand for the region’s healthcare, information technology, and skilled trade/service industries, and were evaluated based on regional growth projections and family sustaining wages. Say Yes eligible students currently enrolled in high school are encouraged to explore these opportunities in addition to Pell-eligible four- and two-year degree programs and certificates. Say Yes eligible high school graduates who are not currently enrolled in postsecondary education are also encouraged to explore these opportunities. Please note: only the programs listed below are eligible for this pilot program. 

Eligible programs include:

  • Information Technology: Cleveland Codes Software Academy and Certified Network Associate
  • Health Care: Cardiographic Technician, Community Health Worker, Dental Assisting, and Medical Coding
  • Skilled Trades and Services: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technician and Truck Driving Training

Eligible Institutions 

Students may only attend Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, or Polaris Career Center for these workforce certificate programs to be considered for Say Yes tuition funding. Several of the certificates are offered at multiple partner institutions. 

Program Offerings by Partner Institutions 

*Note: Program length may vary by institution. 

Say Yes Cleveland was established to promote and make more affordable four- and two-year college degree programs and accredited (Pell-eligible) training certificates. This is based on research that shows that four-year degrees, in particular, have an outsized and positive impact on students’ futures. To date, programs that are not Pell-eligible have been excluded from the Say Yes scholarship program. With this pilot, the Say Yes Scholarship Board is approving a limited number of non-Pell-eligible programs with a limited set of partners who have committed to seeing students through program completion and set on a viable career pathway. This pilot program is a two-year program, running through 2027. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How much tuition aid will students receive from Say Yes? 

Eligible Say Yes students with annual adjusted gross income below $75,000 will receive full tuition funding for the approved programs after any federal or state aid has been applied. For students with annual adjusted gross income above $75,000, tuition funding will not exceed $5,000. 

Are there requirements to receive Say Yes funding? 

Eligible Say Yes students must complete the Say Yes Scholarship application, complete and annual FAFSA application, sign appropriate institutional and Say Yes FERPA waivers, and agree to meet regularly with a mentor/coach. 

How do these workforce certificate programs “count” against Say Yes Scholarship eligibility? 

Workforce certificate programs will count as one semester of funding if they run four months or less; two semesters of funding if they run between five and nine months; and three semesters of funding if they run over ten months. Students must meet all other Say Yes scholarship criteria to remain eligible for continued funding. 

Are students eligible to receive additional Say Yes scholarship funding after completion of a workforce certification? 

Students who complete a certificate program will remain eligible for additional Say Yes scholarship funding based on the number of eligible semesters available to them and total time horizon to utilize the scholarship. 

Please reach out to the Say Yes Scholarship Team with questions or contact one of the institutional representatives below to find out more. Please note: all scholarship determination is done by the Say Yes Scholarship Board. Students should verify all information received from institutional partners. 

Email: [email protected]  Phone: 216-454-5400 

Campus Contacts

Tri-C Say Yes Scholars
Sherri Parks
Manager, Say Yes Scholars Program @Tri-C 
Cuyahoga Community College (Metro Campus)
2900 Community College Ave.
Metro Student Services (MSS) 205
Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: 216-987-3256
Cell: 216-470-6752
[email protected]

Cuyahoga Valley Career Center
Terri Lynn Brosseau
Adult Education Director
8001 Brecksville Road
Brecksville, OH  44141
Phone: 440-746-8210
[email protected]

Polaris Career Center
Theresa Liska
Adult Education
Transitions Coordinator
7285 Old Oak Blvd
Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
Phone: 440-891-7697
[email protected]