Financial assistance for area workers, who have recently lost a job and want to complete a bachelor's or master's degree at Indiana University Kokomo, may be available through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.

The program allows eligible individuals up to two years of paid higher education in order to become more marketable for employment in the region. Applicants need to have college credit and be close to completing a bachelor's degree, have an associate degree or have the ability to attend school fulltime.

TAA is a federal program made available to workers who are displaced due to foreign imports or shifts in production out of the country. Workers may be eligible for a variety of re-employment services, job search and relocation allowances and training.

"The Trade Act (TAA) is a U.S. Department of Labor program," assistant communications director for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (IDWD) in Indianapolis Valerie Kroeger said. "The USDOL reviews submitted petitions and determines eligibility."

For more information, contact Cindy Heigl at (888) 875-4485 or by E-mail at cheigl@iuk.edu.