Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) of New York State helps people meet their educational and financial goals. BOCES has free Adult Education Courses in a variety of fields including English Language and High School Equivalency classes. For more information on the types of adult educational and training programs, registration information and more, call (518) 862-4707 or visit their website here.
Capital District Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), a division of Hudson Valley Community College, provides educational programs including English for Speakers of Other Languages, High School Equivalency Preparation, and education in various professions including Nursing Assistance, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology and Welding. Programs are tuition free for people who meet economic, educational and residency requirements.
Colleges and Universities in the Capital District For a complete list of local colleges and universities in the Capital District, click here. Contact these higher education institutions directly regarding application processes, requirements, and deadlines.
Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)has a strong program to prepare all international students (refugees, immigrants, etc.) who are interested in attending this community college.
Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County (LVORC) provides free, confidential tutoring to adults in reading, writing, and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). LVORC recruits and trains volunteers to be tutors. Serving both Rennselaer and Albany Counties, LVORC serves more than 200 learners annually, with programs including one-to-one tutoring and small group instruction in reading and writing, math, ESOL, financial literacy, computer literacy, workplace literacy, citizenship preparation and reading mentors for kids in elementary school. Contact LVORC by phone at (518) 244-4650 (Troy) or (518) 434-0540 (Albany).
MAMI (Multicultural Association of Medical Interpreters) MAMI offers interpreting and translation services in over 50 languages seven days a week, 24-hours a day (including holidays). Refugees and immigrants who are fluent in English can apply to receive MAMI interpretation training which qualifies them to interpret in medical, social services, as well as some legal settings and courts. All MAMI interpreters comply with HIPAA regulations and are covered with liability insurance. For more information, call (518) 426-1626 or e-mail: [email protected].
New York State Office for New Americans (ONA) Opportunity Center The local ONA Opportunity Center located at USCRI-Albany provides a variety of educational programs including classes on citizenship, health literacy, and adult English classes for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Contact the ONA Opportunity Center at USCRI-Albany at (518) 459-1790.
SUNY Schenectady County Community College offers a comprehensive college support program for those who wish to attend college for the first time, retrain in a new field or return to college after a long absence. SCCC also has a welcoming program for international students.