PSC offers money-back guarantee to some grads

Pensacola State College nursing, paramedic and welding program students are guaranteed jobs within six months of graduating, or they get their money back. The “Money-Back Guarantee Program” established the tuition refund for students who do not find jobs within six months of completing select programs designed to prepare them for in-demand occupations.

Registered nursing, paramedic, welding students eligible for tuition refund if unemployed 6 months after graduation

Pensacola State College registered nursing, paramedic and welding program students are guaranteed jobs within six months of graduating, or they get their money back.

The College is offering graduates a tuition refund as a stipulation of Florida’s 2021 Reimagining Education and Career Help Act, known as the REACH Act. The “Money-Back Guarantee Program” established the tuition refund for students who do not find jobs after completing select programs designed to prepare them for in-demand occupations.

PSC President Ed Meadows

To qualify for a refund, PSC President Ed Meadows said students must graduate in good standing and have documented proof of attending job fairs or submitting employment applications, including completing background checks and other requirements. Graduates must also be residents of Florida.

“Refunds will also be retroactive to qualified students who began their program of study in 2021,” said Meadows, who added he is confident Pensacola State won’t receive many refund requests.

“There’s such a huge demand for welders and a huge crisis in the shortage of paramedics as well as nurses.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent between 2022-2032. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $81,220 in May 2022.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that more than 18,000 paramedic or EMT jobs were available in 2023.

“While not glamorous, this industry can be very rewarding in many ways and challenging in others,” said Don Lee, the College’s Paramedic Professor.

“Pensacola State has a long history of producing successful graduates from both programs. Our graduates have practiced medicine worldwide in both civilian and military locations. Going back several years, the paramedic program has collected data for accrediting purposes and has found that multiple graduating cohorts have 100 percent employment rates in the industry.”

Lee added that the College enjoys a good relationship with several emergency medical services providers and fire departments for clinical space, and several provide scholarships to employees to enroll in the PSC program.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for paramedics and EMTs to grow 5 percent between 2022 and 2032. The May 2022 median annual wage for paramedics was $49,090.

Welding program graduates also have quickly found employment – Nathan Duggan certainly did. After earning his Welding Technology certificate in August 2021, he was hired by National Boiler Service within a month.

“The welding program is one of PSC’s best career certificate programs. Jac (Rolison) is a great instructor. I struggled initially, but he stuck with me and helped me learn everything I needed to do well as a welder,” said Duggan, who earned certifications in cutting torch welding, flux welding, mig welding, and stick welding before graduating.

“I work as an independent contractor now and get the opportunity to travel all over the country. It’s a wonderful occupation, and the pay is great,” he added.

The Money-Back Guarantee Program also requires each Florida College System institution to implement safeguards to ensure the program is not abused. Along with the three PSC programs, other programs eligible are dental hygiene,  respiratory care, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics (HVAC), and residential and commercial electrical technician.

“As one of the 28 state colleges, we pride ourselves in half of our students being in workforce programs. We’re responding to not only the current needs of the workforce but also the future workforce,”  Meadows said.

Call the PSC admission department at 850-484-2544 for more information about the Money-Back Guarantee Program.