Travel Stipend Guidelines
NOTE: Stipends are currently available for the 2010-2011 and the 2011-2012 class year. 
Stipends will be paid to any Apprentice who physically resides more than 80 miles one-way from the closest training location.  To receive the $350 stipend, the Apprentice must successfully complete their semester class according to the rules and regulations (i.e., attendance, conduct, and grades) and show proof of home residence address.
The distance from the Apprentices’ home and the closest training site will be measured by Rand McNally (shortest route).  P.O. Boxes will not be accepted in lieu of a physical residence address, there will be no exceptions.
Students must apply for their stipend.  The application must include proof of residency by attaching a copy of their utility bill with their name and address on it.  The completed application must be received within 30 days following the successful completion of each semester.  A copy of the application will be returned to the Apprentice with an explanation if for any reason it is rejected. 
The $350 stipend will be paid to each qualifying Apprentice at the successful completion of each two-week semester and the stipend check will be mailed to the home address on file with WECA within 30 days from receipt of a properly completed application that meets all criteria.
Any misrepresentation or falsification of a student's home address will result in an immediate cancellation of the Apprenticeship Agreement.
It is our hope that as the program grows that WECA will be able to establish schools in locations that may prevent travel of 80 miles and over to attend class.

Travel Stipend Q & A
Q. What is a Travel Stipend?
      A Travel Stipend is a pre-determined monetary award meant to help subsidize travel expenses incurred by students living a predetermined distance from the closest training facility while attending the two-week class session.  The availability and amount of the travel stipend is determined by the WECA Board of Directors each fiscal year.  WECA has authorized $350 per semester for qualifying students and is subject to change upon review by the Apprenticeship Training Committee (ATC).
Q: Who qualifies for the Travel Stipend?
      Stipends are available for any Apprentice who physically resides more than 80 miles one-way from the closest training facility and presents recent proof of residency.
Q. How is the 80 mile requirement determined?
      In order to determine the distance from the closest training facility, WECA will use Rand McNally as an unbiased source for determining mileage.  The "shortest route" option will be selected and the distance will be determined from the designated training facility to your home address.
Q. What happens if I change my training facility location?
      If an Apprentice resides over 80 miles from the closest training facility and requests to attend class at another training facility, he/she would still qualify for the $350.  If the Apprentice resides within the 80 miles of the training site and requests to attend class at another training facility, he/she could be approved to attend another site but would not receive the $350 stipend.
Q. Are there any other requirements in order for me to receive the Travel Stipend?
      To receive the $350 stipend, the student must successfully complete his/her semester class according to the WECA rules and regulations. If the student has qualified to advance to the next semester, with no absences (make-up time will not qualify you for the stipend) the travel stipend will be awarded. (i.e. a student would not lose the stipend for a single tardy, etc).
Q. When do I apply for the Travel Stipend?
      Your application must be received by the WECA Sacramento Office within 30 days following the successful completion of each semester.  The application must include proof of residency or your application will be denied – no exceptions.
Q. What will qualify as "proof of residency"?  
      In order for your application to be processed, you will need to provide the WECA Office with proof of residency.  Proof of residency must be in the form of a copy of a recent (within 60 days of start of class) utility billing statement, home phone bill, a rental agreement or the like, in which the name and physical address of the applicant is present.  A driver's license or ID card is not sufficient proof.  P.O. Boxes will not be accepted in lieu of a physical street address.
Q: When can I expect my Travel Stipend check?
The $350 travel stipend will be paid to each qualifying student within 30 days from the receipt of the approved application.  The stipend check will be mailed to the home address on file with WECA.
NOTE:  A copy of the application will be returned to the student with an "Accept/Decline" comment by the Accounting Department.  Should a student's application be declined, he/she may appeal the decision to the ATC Committee by submitting the reason for appeal in writing no later than 30 days from the date the decision is mailed to the student.