From Part-Time Fast Food to Skilled Machinist

After serving time in prison, Marcus was determined to turn his life around. Finding a stable job, though, was harder than he imagined. With a record on file and limited recent work history, he took what he could get—a part-time fast food position that barely covered his bills. Still, he kept showing up, doing what he could to stay on track and out of trouble.

One day, he heard about a machining program at a nearby technical college. The idea of learning a skilled trade appealed to him, but he figured it was out of reach. He had no savings, and he assumed that with his background, he wouldn’t qualify for financial aid.

A friend told him about FAFSA—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Skeptical but hopeful, Marcus filled it out. When he received word that he qualified for the full Pell Grant, he was stunned. The reason? FAFSA evaluates income from two years earlier, and during those years, Marcus had made no money—he had been incarcerated.

The college’s Financial Aid Specialist requested documentation to confirm Marcus's situation. It felt uncomfortable, even demeaning at first. But the Specialist reassured him:

“They’re not trying to shame you,” she explained. “They just need to verify everything. That’s how we make sure you get what you qualify for.”

With tuition fully covered, Marcus enrolled in the 17-month machining program. He spent his days learning to read blueprints, operate manual and CNC machines, and understand the precise measurements and materials used in manufacturing. The school’s lab had it all—manual mills and lathes, EDM machines, simulators, and even a 5-axis CNC. It was hands-on learning at its best.

About 14 months into the program, Marcus landed a job as a machinist with a company that partnered closely with the college. His instructor had made the connection—just one of many employer relationships that helped students get hired even before completing the program.

He started at $16 per hour, a big step up from fast food.

Three months later, he was graduating from the program. All this time, Marcus was an exemplary employee. The employer wanted to keep Marcus—not even let him think about other companies. The employer gave him an unbelievable raise. Nope, not 50 cents more, nope not a dollar more—a lot more.

“Man, I just got a five-dollar raise!” he told his instructor. “I can’t believe it—I’m making twenty-one an hour now.”

This wasn’t California, where the minimum wage in certain areas had just hit $20. In his town, $21 meant stability—and pride.

Marcus continued to learn on the job. He rotated through departments, operated more complex machines, and absorbed every bit of knowledge he could. Not long after, he had earned the title of CNC Machinist, which came with another well-deserved raise.

He still dreams of more—maybe opening his own machine shop one day. But for now, he shows up every morning with confidence, purpose, and a future he once thought he’d never have.

Advisory Note: Eligibility for federal Pell Grants is based on income, not background. While incarceration can affect certain types of aid, many students who were previously incarcerated still qualify—especially if their income was low or nonexistent in prior years. Learn more and apply at studentaid.gov.