A final rule issued by the Dept. of Education implements the Workforce Pell Grant program beginning on July 1, allowing students to receive Pell Grants for enrollment in high-quality, short-term educational programs that prepare them for in-demand jobs.

This could be applicable to direct-care workers in the long-term care setting, industry sources said.

Currently, institutions of higher education award federal Pell Grants to students with financial need to help them earn undergraduate credentials. The Workforce Pell seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment by allowing Pell Grants to be used for workforce training programs that prepare individuals for immediate employment in as little as eight weeks, the department said.

Looking for Value

In addition, Workforce Pell requires colleges to limit their tuition and fees based on the earnings of program graduates, ensuring that programs continue to demonstrate value over time.

“The Trump Administration’s postsecondary education agenda is straightforward: we should shift away from high-cost, low-value programs to low-cost, high-value programs,” said Sec. of Education Linda McMahon. 

How it works is that governors, in consultation with state workforce boards, will identify high-demand industries and career fields in order to determine which workforce programs are eligible to receive Workforce Pell Grant funds.

“Eligible programs will then be required to meet certain time and length requirements, completion percentages, and employment metrics, and prove they deliver a real return on investment for students as shown by data,” the department said.

“This process provides the opportunity for real collaboration between states and governors to identify programs that will greatly impact job outcomes and economic return in their state.”  

State Bilateral Programs

Additionally, governors will be able to collaborate on workforce programs through bilateral agreements, allowing an eligible institution in one state to offer an eligible workforce program to students in another state through distance education, the department said. 

To learn more about the final rule package, click here.  

Questions or comments? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.