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Summer Youth Employment Program 2026 (SYEP)

Thank you for your interest in the Tompkins County Workforce Development Summer Youth Employment Program!
*We estimate this application will take 15-20 minutes to complete. *
DEADLINE to APPLY - May 29, 2026
This program is funded through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a federal program that requires specific information about applicants. You must fill out the application completely and meet the following guidelines to participate:
Eligibility Guidelines for Teens & Young Adults
1. Be between the ages of 14-20
2. Reside in Tompkins County
3. Be income-eligible*
*Who is income eligible?
A youth who is in foster care OR receives any one of these benefits is automatically income eligible for SYEP: Medicaid, Family Assistance/Safety Net, SSI, SNAP (food stamps) or HEAP. Please note this on your application. You do not have to provide your household income.
If a youth is not in foster care/does not receive any of these benefits, they may still be eligible based on their household income.
Your submission does not guarantee your enrollment in the program. All applications will be reviewed by staff for eligibility and funding availability.

If you need guidance: Please contact (607) 280-5980--Tai Basilius; our office is temporarily located at 119 E. Seneca St. Suite 200, Ithaca, NY 14850

6 weeks of paid work experience: July 6th- August 14th; All positions are paid at NYS minimum wage: $16.00/hour
1.Legal First Name (matches your ID)(Required.)
2.Legal Last Name (matches your ID)(Required.)
3.Preferred Name (how you would like others to address you)(Required.)
4.Date of Birth (xx-xx-xxxx)(Required.)
5.Gender(Required.)
6.Preferred pronouns(Required.)
7.Race/Ethnicity: Please check all that apply(Required.)
8.Youth Phone number(Required.)
9.Youth Email address(Required.)
10.How would youth prefer to be contacted for follow up? (Please check all that apply.)(Required.)
11.Parent/Guardian Phone number(Required.)
12.Parent/Guardian email address(Required.)
13.How would Parent/Guardian prefer to be contacted?(Required.)
14.Street Address(Required.)
15.City/Village/Town(Required.)
16.Zipcode(Required.)