Taylor’s story is a familiar one to many Kansas Citians who want a full-time career in health care.

She was accepted into a training program that would propel her into the job she wanted — but the cost of the training was more than she could hope to manage.

Then she heard about the Full Employment Council and Health Professional Opportunity Grants.

The HPOG grants, through the Missouri Healthcare Industry Training and Education program, provide eligible low-income individuals a chance to receive training for a career in the health care industry.

Taylor was working as a part-time lab assistant, struggling to pay her bills, and was facing the prospect of taking out a loan that would be hard, if not impossible, to pay back, in order to complete the training.

At the FEC, she completed an application for an HPOG grant and was chosen to receive a $4,000 scholarship.

The funds helped Taylor with tuition, fees and books, as well as help buying scrubs and shoes during her training.

“Taylor always kept in contact,” said Stephenie Wells with the FEC. “She made sure to come in the office as often as she could to keep us updated on the progress she was making in her training.”

Immediately after graduation, Taylor accepted a full-time job as a clinical lab scientist making $27.80 an hour.

To learn more about the HPOG scholarship program, go to mydyss.mo.gov/hpog-hite or call 816-471-2330.