Workforce Pell Updates - What Colleges Need to Know

The final rules were recently released for the Workforce Pell program. While much of the program remains the same, there are a few pieces colleges should keep in mind when moving to implement the program.

1. Length of Time

The length of time a program can take to complete was clarified. Programs are required to take at least 8 weeks and less than 15 weeks. Programs can therefore be just a little bit shorter than a typical 16 week semester to qualify. Colleges should also keep in mind what programs could be tweaked that are currently 15-16 weeks but could be adjusted down to meet the threshold.

2. Credit Hours

The clock hours a program could be were clear from the original rule published, at 150-599 clock hours, but credit hours were left ambiguous. There is now clarification that a program can be a maximum of 15 credit hours. This can fit well with many of the stackable college certificates currently available, and a closer look should be given to the college credit certificates falling in categories that have been mentioned as a priority for Workforce Pell and other funding, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs.

3. Apprenticeships

The original ruling stated that all programs were required to have 25% or less done by an outside entity to the college. With the workforce partnerships required for apprenticeships, many would not have met that threshold. Apprenticeships have now been given an exception, requiring less than 50% of the related training offered by an outside entity to the college.

4. Program Exclusions Update

Originally, only correspondence programs were excluded from Workforce Pell. However, in the update it was added that study abroad programs are also ineligible for use with Workforce Pell.

5. Concurrent Funding

A new criteria was added for eligibility in receiving Workforce Pell - a student cannot have other funding that equals or exceeds their total cost of attendance from other non-federal sources, such as states, colleges, and private sources.

To help your college lay out the pathway for these students, contact Dr. Mildred G. Coyne, CEO of Coyne Workforce Solutions at mildred.coyne@coyneworkforcesolutions.com.