U.S. expands Pell grants to short-term job training
Community colleges and career training programs are seeking approval for a new federal Workforce Pell initiative that extends Pell grant aid to some short-term job-training courses lasting eight to 14 weeks. The Education Department began accepting applications in July and has already approved programs in Iowa and Indiana, with dozens more pending in states such as North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Maximum awards are $4,310 for 14-week programs and $1,260 for eight-week programs, and qualifying programs must meet a 70% completion and job placement threshold, show earnings gains, be stackable, and have operated for a year before eligibility.
Workforce Pell can fund some eight-to-14 week training programs.
Context
Pell grants previously required programs to be at least 15 weeks and 600 hours. The government opened Workforce Pell applications in July. Approvals will roll out slowly and programs must meet strict quality thresholds.
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