The short answer
The WIOA youth program serves out-of-school youth ages 16 to 24 and in-school youth ages 14 to 21. Both groups need at least one barrier from a federal list, such as dropping out, basic skills needs, homelessness, foster care, pregnancy or parenting, a disability or a justice record. Most in-school youth must also be low income. Programs must make 14 kinds of services available.
Out-of-school youth (ages 16 to 24)
You are an out-of-school youth if you are not attending any school, were 16 to 24 when you enrolled, and meet at least one of these (20 CFR 681.210):
- School dropout
- Within compulsory school age but missed at least the most recent full school year quarter
- Have a diploma or equivalent, are low income, and are basic skills deficient or an English language learner
- Subject to the juvenile or adult justice system (an "offender")
- Homeless, or a runaway
- In foster care, aged out of foster care, or in an out-of-home placement
- Pregnant or parenting
- An individual with a disability
- Low income and need help to enter or finish an education program or to get or keep a job
Good to know: adult education, YouthBuild, Job Corps, high school equivalency and dropout re-engagement programs do not count as "school" for this rule, so a young person in one of them can still count as out of school (20 CFR 681.230).
In-school youth (ages 14 to 21)
You are an in-school youth if you are attending school (including college), were 14 to 21 when you enrolled (older if you have a disability and are still in school under state law), are low income, and meet at least one of these (20 CFR 681.220):
- Basic skills deficient
- English language learner
- Subject to the justice system
- Homeless, or a runaway
- In foster care or aged out of it
- Pregnant or parenting
- An individual with a disability
- Need extra help to finish an education program or to get or keep a job
Youth who get free or reduced-price school lunch, or live in a high-poverty area, count as low income for this program (20 CFR 681.250).
The 14 program elements
Local youth programs must make these 14 services available, though not every young person gets all of them (20 CFR 681.460):
- Tutoring, study skills and dropout prevention or recovery leading to a diploma or credential
- Alternative secondary school or dropout recovery services
- Paid and unpaid work experience: summer jobs, pre-apprenticeship, internships, job shadowing, on-the-job training
- Occupational skills training
- Education offered together with workforce preparation for a specific occupation
- Leadership development, including community service
- Supportive services
- Adult mentoring for at least 12 months
- Follow-up services for at least 12 months after the program
- Comprehensive guidance and counseling
- Financial literacy education
- Entrepreneurial skills training
- Labor market and career information about in-demand jobs
- Help preparing for and moving on to postsecondary education and training
How to find a youth program
Ask at your local American Job Center, or use the CareerOneStop Youth Program Finder. Many areas contract youth services to local nonprofits, so the program may be run by a community organization rather than at the job center itself. Also worth knowing: Job Corps is a separate free program for ages 16 to 24.
Common questions
What is the age range for the WIOA youth program?
14 to 21 for in-school youth and 16 to 24 for out-of-school youth, based on your age when you enroll. Once enrolled, you can keep getting services past the upper age.
Do out-of-school youth need to be low income?
Only some of them. Out-of-school youth who qualify because they have a diploma plus basic skills needs or English learning needs, or because they need extra help, must be low income. Dropouts, homeless youth, foster youth, youth with a disability, pregnant or parenting youth and youth in the justice system do not need to meet the income test.
Can the youth program pay for college?
It can pay for occupational skills training and help youth move on to postsecondary education. Whether it pays tuition for a specific college program depends on local policy and the eligible training provider list.
Does the youth program pay me?
Paid work experience, such as summer jobs and internships, pays wages. Some areas also give incentive payments for milestones. Ask your local program.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. WIOA details are set by states and local workforce boards and can change; confirm with your local American Job Center before you enroll anywhere.