The Breaking Traditions program serves students who are enrolled in one of OTC’s Certificate, Applied Science, or Engineering degree programs. The program provides need-based financial assistance to qualifying students who are pursuing careers that are non-traditional for their gender, are displaced homemakers, or are single parents within these OTC certificate and degree programs.
Services are provided to students who are enrolled in one of OTC’s certificate or applied science degree programs and choosing non-traditional career paths or displaced homemakers/single parents.
This track is available for individuals enrolled in an OTC educational program that leads to employment in a job traditionally held by members of the opposite gender. That is, a career path in which the student’s gender comprises 25% or less of the workforce (see link below).
https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/Guid_Perkins_NontraditionalCareersList
This track is available for adults whose principle job has been homemaking and has NOT been employed on a full time basis (40 hours per week) for at least three years and meets one of the following requirements.
This individual has lost his/her main source of income due to:
This track is available to individuals who are unmarried or separated from a spouse and have a minor for which the parent has either sole or joint custody or the individual is pregnant and unmarried.
Breaking Traditions financial assistance applications:
Breaking Traditions grants must be reapplied for each semester.
Students must complete the FAFSA in order to be eligible.
Preference is given to students with remaining financial need who have not completed a degree.
Breaking Traditions applications for Spring 2025 will be available during the first two weeks of the semester.