College and Job Training Help for Cash Assistance and Food Stamp Recipients
Reading Area Community College runs a state program called KEYS, short for Keystone Education Yields Success, that helps people who get Cash Assistance or Food Stamps attend college and finish a certificate or degree that leads to a job.
It is for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, known as TANF, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, who are enrolled at, registered for, or interested in enrolling at any of Pennsylvania's 14 community colleges. The program is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania community colleges.
Each student is assigned a professional student facilitator who works with them one on one to develop a career pathway, look at what stands in the way of finishing, and navigate the college experience. Support also includes career coaching, advising, help getting financial assistance beyond financial aid, and referrals to academic supports and community resources.
Money and supports may also be available. TANF and SNAP recipients taking part may be eligible for special allowances from the County Assistance Office, which can cover child care, transportation, school or training registration fees (not tuition), books and school or training supplies, test fees, clothing, equipment or tools needed for school or training, car purchase, car repair, and motor vehicle operator fees. Students who get TANF benefits may be eligible for a Tuition Assistance Scholarship after they successfully complete their classes each semester, when funding permits, and TANF students earn financial incentives during their enrollment. Students who receive only SNAP benefits may be eligible for financial assistance to cover expenses that special allowances cannot.
The programs you can study through it include High Priority Occupational Programs, a General Equivalency Diploma or High School Equivalency Program, credit and non-credit certificate programs, and associate's degree programs.
To get started, if you already receive TANF or SNAP, read and complete two forms, the Reverse Referral Form, which comes in English and Spanish, and the Program Overview and Participant Responsibility Acknowledgement Form, and email them to Kara Johnson at kjohnson@racc.edu. You can also go to Berks Hall, Room B-216 to complete the documents in person. If you do not currently get TANF or SNAP, you can find out whether you are eligible by applying on the COMPASS website, the state's online tool for health and human service programs.
The staff are in Berks Hall, Room 216, on the college campus at 10 S 2nd St. Reading PA 19602. The phone number is 610-372-4721, ext. 5289.
The page does not say what the program costs to join or what hours the office is open, so ask when you call.
Source: racc.edu/services/keys-program, read September 18, 2026.
The details
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If you DO receive TANF or SNAP , are interested in being part of the KEYS Program and want to find out if you are eligible, please read and complete the following two forms and email them to Kara Johnson at kjohnson@racc.edu . Reverse Referral Form - (Spanish) Reverse Referral Form - (English) Program Overview and Participant Responsibility Acknowledgement Form Alternatively, you may visit Berks Hall, Room B-216, to complete the necessary documents in person.
- Reverse Referral Form - (Spanish)
- Reverse Referral Form - (English)
- Program Overview and Participant Responsibility Acknowledgement Form
In Reading Area Community College’s words
KEYS is a state-run workforce development, employment and training program designed to help eligible students attend and succeed in college. KEYS is a collaborative program between the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania Community Colleges and is designed to assist recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrolled at, registered for, or interested in enrolling at any of Pennsylvania’s 14…
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Reading Area Community College
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This listing summarizes publicly available information from racc.edu/services/keys-program. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.