Route to Relief at Maricopa Community Colleges is offered in partnership with Maricopa County and the City of Phoenix and provides individuals with free tuition, monthly stipends, and employment assistance when enrolled in eligible programs across the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges. This project is designed to assist individuals whose employment or household income was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The expectation is for students to complete short-term training certificates to re-enter the workforce or obtain a better work opportunity.
The project will continue through August 2025. Funding is limited and subject to availability.
This project is provided with funding from Maricopa County.
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the City of Phoenix by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
This project provides support to remove potential barriers that a student could face in an effort to help them gain an industry-recognized credential and receive employment assistance including:
• Career navigation services
• Streamlined admission and enrollment
• Up to $5,000 for tuition, books, and fees
• Up to $500 for training-related expenses
• Monthly stipends for the duration of the student’s educational program (up to 6 months)
o $1,500/month for students with a dependent that is 13 years old or younger
o $1,000/month for all other students
• Employment assistance
• Up to $500 for job search expenses upon successful completion
Funding subject to availability
To learn more, review the Frequently Asked Questions.
Maricopa County residents* eligible for in-state tuition who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic under one of the following circumstances since March 2020:
• Household income is reduced due to lost wages or reduced work hours
• Currently is or has been unemployed
• Qualified for unemployment or pandemic insurance benefits
• Laid off or furloughed from job
• Stopped working to care for a sick household member
• Loss of child or spousal support
• Stopped working to care for children home from school or daycare
To learn more about residency, view the Regulations for Tuition Purposes.
As technology evolves and data management systems become increasingly complex, the demand for highly skilled technology professionals continues to grow. Maricopa Community Colleges offers advanced laboratories, modern equipment, internships, and flexible and specialized classes where you will learn about computing hardware and software, web-based platforms, networks, telecommunications systems, and other innovative technology. Students funded by Route to Relief must complete their academic program by August 2025. Courses and programs are subject to availability. To learn more about program requirements, visit the Maricopa Community Colleges Degrees and Certificates.
• Amazon Web Services Cloud
• CompTIA A+, Network +, Security +
• Computer System Configuration and Support
• IT Helpdesk
• Software Developer
Have questions? Email us at jobtraining@maricopacorporate.com or call 480-864-4423.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District.
The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: 480-731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.