Workforce Pell
WORKS.

All Americans, especially low-income, unemployed workers and single parents, deserve access to affordable postsecondary training and credentialing opportunities that can have a significant positive impact on their future career and earnings potential. Workforce Pell Grants, also known as short-term Pell Grants, which were just approved by Congress will allow Federal student financial aid dollars to be used to pay for short-term training or credential programs – programs that have been proven to help workers quickly gain the skills necessary to compete for in-demand jobs and earn higher wages. Furthermore, a short-term credential is often the first step for many students seeking to earn a long-term certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. The adoption of Workforce Pell Grants will be a game changer for advancing the ability of more Americans to access the middle class.

Explanation of Workforce Pell Grants 

Workforce Pell Grants would allow Pell Grant funds to be used for short-term training or credential programs. These programs are designed to help students quickly and efficiently learn new skills and earn credentials that open the door to new, higher-paying career opportunities:

  • Workforce Pell Grants would allow students to access Pell Grants for programs that are at least 150 clock hours but not more than 600 clock hours, offered during a minimum of 8 weeks but not more than 15 weeks. 
  • The law which enacted Workforce Pell Grants established the 2026-2027 academic year for initial awarding of these grants. 
  • For a program to be eligible for Workforce Pell, programs would have to provide an education aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in demand industry or sector occupations, meet hiring requirements of employers, and lead to a postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable across more than one employer. 
  • Workforce Pell eligible programs also must meet certain requirements including:
    • a verified completion rate of at least 70 percent
    • a verified job placement rate of at least 70 percent
    • completers of programs must earn an amount more than the earnings of an individual at 150% of the poverty line plus the cost of the Workforce Pell program attended

Through the years Workforce Pell has received wide bipartisan support from the American people and from legislators in Congress. Below is a timeline of legislation that has been introduced related to Workforce Pell. 

2014
Workforce Pell First Introduced
Workforce Pell was first introduced by Senator Mary Landrieu (D‑LA) in the 113th Congress as the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2014 or the JOBS Act of 2014.
2015
Senator Kaine Sponsors JOBS Act

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) took over as the lead sponsor of the JOBS Act beginning in the 114th Congress and under his leadership the bill reached a high of 52 bipartisan cosponsors during the 117th Congress.

2017
Representative Foxx Introduces The PROSPER Act

During the 115th Congress, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced The PROSPER Act which included a version of Workforce Pell.

2019
Representative Scott Introduces the College Affordability Act

In the 116th Congress Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced the College Affordability Act which included a measure for the expansion of the Pell Grant to short term programs.

2023
The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act and the Pell Act Introduced in 118th Congress

The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act by Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Elyse Stefanik (R-NY), and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA); and the Pell Act by Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) were all introduced in the 118th Congress.

2025
Senators Kaine and Budd reintroduce Workforce Pell bills

Both Senator Kaine and Senator Budd reintroduced their Workforce Pell bills during the 119th Congress. Senator Kaine (D-VA) introduced the JOBS Act of 2025 and Senator Ted Budd introduced the PELL Act of 2025.

Workforce Pell Becomes Law

Workforce Pell became law as a part of a budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 1 (119th Congress) on July 4, 2025.

Now that Workforce Pell has passed into law, the U.S. Department of Education is responsible for implementing this authority. Click here to learn more about the implementation process.

Overview of RAMC’s role

From its founding, RAMC has been a champion of Workforce Pell, fostering bipartisan support and was instrumental in its eventual passage into law. RAMC members have long recognized the benefits that Workforce Pell can bring to their communities and students as well as to the local workforce. They have also recognized that community colleges are perfectly positioned to provide the opportunities, like Workforce Pell, needed to help future generations of Americans succeed. Their belief in this issue drove their advocacy and now has made it possible for this important authority to be passed.

Read more about RAMC’s efforts on Workforce Pell here.

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RAMC is a non-profit 501 (c)(6), and a member supported coalition composed of state-wide community college systems, community college districts, individual institutions, and their affiliates.

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