Job Corps is a Government funded program located across the nation. I will be speaking specifically about the site in Edison, N.J., which provides a unique opportunity for students ages 16 to 24 to gain an education, essential skills and live on campus all for FREE. I, myself, currently attend this program and can gladly share my experience.

This isn’t a program that is spoken about in many media outlets and is not commonly known amongst Americans. Specifically New Jersey, which has one of the most diverse sites. Let me give you 10 reasons why its New Jersey’s best kept secret:

1.) Never finished high school? You can get your high school diploma or equivalent for FREE.

This program provides you with an opportunity to get you high school diploma or GED if you never got it before. Personally, I didn’t attend that portion of the program since I already graduated from Linden High School in 2009. Go Tigers! However, this is huge for students who have hit a rough spot in life or may have fallen off the bandwagon and need to get their lives together. This allows them to be one step closer to being a functioning member of society.

2.) Don’t have your license? Get driving lessons and schedule your date at the DMV for FREE.

Here is a sweet spot. First, you get to take your written driver's exam. Next, once you acquire a permit, you can take driving lessons on campus. Edison Job Corps has their own driving school service. I came into the program with a license already. My cousin, who is also here, is getting the chance to take free driving lessons and is scheduling her driving test in the next three months. All for free. When she is ready, they will drive her to the site where she will take her test and hopefully come back with a license. How cool is that?

3.) Room and Board is included in this program for FREE.

When you join the program it is assumed that you will be living on campus. This means you receive a key to your room and locker. Your automatically given a specific bed and depending on your status on campus (where you rank on the evaluation system), this determines which dorms you are in. This gives you more options as to where you stay on center as well.

4.) Can’t live on campus because of prior obligations? Public transportation is FREE.

You can elect to be non-residential, which means you don’t have to live on campus. This means that as long as you can make it on center between 7AM to 8AM prepared for class Monday through Friday, then you can travel on your own. If you do not have your own car, they will provide you with fare for public transportation. They do not offer transportation on the weekend, it is only for training during the week. Edison Job Corps is located within few blocks of the Edison Train station.

5.) Food. Three square meals a day. FREE.

Now, one of the things that sold me was that I get my meals. They try to work with all diets. For example, I don’t eat meat, but I have had plenty of help on campus with getting alternatives and with that I am able to enjoy myself. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available every day, Monday through Friday. On weekends they offer a brunch and then dinner at night. You will not have to spend money on food.

6.) Get a trade and acquire a skill that will bring you an income and help start a career for FREE.

That is the meat and potatoes of this program. It’s to help people from ALL walks of life receive proper certificates in a specific field. In Edison, they offer skills in Automobiles, Electrical, Certified Medical Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistance, Office Administration and more. This is where it starts. Not just the learning, but the saving. If you imagined how much one might pay for some of these trades and certifications, that would cost tons of cash.

7.) So you completed your basic trade, got your license and GED/HSE but want more? Go for an Advanced Trade for FREE!

This opportunity is great for travel. There might be an advanced trade you want but it is not offered here. They will pay your airfare and transportation to get to the next center. It could be in the next state or across the country depending on the trade and locations where it’s offered. You get to now leave New Jersey and see what another states and cities look like and do it all for free. I, myself, am studying CompTIA A+ certifications. This will allow me to start in Information Technology with a vendor neutral certification that is recognized across the board.

8.) Not interested in acquiring an Advanced Trade but don’t feel quite ready to work? Go to college for FREE.

Everyone is trying to figure out this college thing right now. We have seen college tuitions reach its height in cost and it only gets higher. We have seen the debt as a nation rise as well. One of the main concerns for all is that they need a college education to get a good job, but then they get into debt to reach that point and have a hard time getting out. This program helps alleviate that stress greatly. You can live on campus and attend college for free. The program works with your financial aid to assure that your attendance will be cost-free for you, even if your financial aid does not cover all of it. You can either drive yourself to class or continue to live on campus and they will provide rides for you as you attend.

9.) Maximum of two years on campus. If you join Advanced Trade or College you get a total of three years for FREE.

With the main curriculum of GED/HSE, trade and license, you are given a maximum of two years on campus. However, if you gain those things and now seek to get the Advanced Trade of the College education, you now have one more year added to your completion date for a total of three years on campus.

10.) You get PAID.

Yes, you get paid. Not a lot at first, but you will receive a small stipend while you stay. This is huge for boosting moral amongst the younger students the most. However, once you complete your program, you are eligible for a completion check ranging from $500 to $1000. This all depends on the trade you chose, the amount of things you completed and other factors. Overall, you leave the program with more money than when you came in.

In conclusion of the 10 reasons why Edison Job Corps is New Jersey’s best kept secret, I hope to start the discussion of programs that are here to truly help students. Programs like this are not a walk in the park; they require discipline and drive. These things are available to all students who qualify, but you must be willing to do the work and barrel through with no excuses. If you can successfully do that, you will come out a winner.