Workforce Pell expands federal Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in short-term workforce programs that meet defined quality requirements and lead to post-secondary recognized credentials. Workforce Pell is authorized under Section 83002 of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act of 2025 (H.R. 1).
These programs are designed to help learners quickly gain the skills employers need while earning credentials that can support continued education and career advancement.
Workforce Pell Program Requirements
To qualify for Workforce Pell, training programs must meet federal requirements, including:
- Program has been in operation for at least the 12-month period immediately preceding the request for program approval.
- Program has not been subject to any suspension or emergency or termination action by the Secretary of Education during the five years preceding the date of the determination.
- Program of 150-599 clock hours delivered over at least 8 weeks but no more than 15 weeks.
- Align with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations.
- Meets the hiring needs of employers.
- Lead to a recognized postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable (or prepares students for employment for which there is only one recognized postsecondary credential) and ensures that a student receives academic credit for at least one certificate or degree program at one or more eligible institutions.
- Demonstrate ≥70% completion (within 150% of normal time) and ≥70% placement (second quarter after exiting the program).
- Meet the federal value-added earnings (VAE) standard.
- Cannot be a correspondence course (this does not prevent distance education), study abroad, or a direct assessment program.
- No more than 25% of the Short-term Program is offered by an entity that is not a Title IV institution unless a Registered Apprenticeship program. If the program qualifies as the related instruction component for a Registered Apprenticeship Program, no more than 49% of the instruction can be provided by an entity that is not a Title IV institution.