Workforce Pell lets eligible students use a Pell Grant to pay for short job-training programs, the kind that run 8 to 15 weeks instead of two or four years. It became available on July 1, 2026, but a program only qualifies after its state governor certifies it and the U.S. Department of Education approves it.
As of October 13, 2026, the Department of Education has announced 21 approved Workforce Pell programs at 7 colleges in 6 states. This page lists every one, using only the Department’s own announcements, and we update it as new approvals are announced.
21
Approved programs
7
Colleges
6
States
8–15 wks
Program length
From the dean’s desk
The goal of Workforce Pell is a noble one: giving people greater access to careers that only need short-term training. For a long time, people who wanted to do things like become a CNA or earn a CDL haven’t had a strong funding stream. Workforce Pell will likely eliminate that barrier for many people, and that’s a good thing.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation & Apprenticeship
What is Workforce Pell?
Workforce Pell is a new part of the federal Pell Grant program, created by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Under the Department of Education’s rules, an eligible workforce program must:
- Include 150 to 599 clock hours of instruction
- Take at least 8 weeks but less than 15 weeks to complete
- Have been operating for at least one year
- Meet benchmarks for completion rates, job placement rates and a value-added earnings measure
- Be certified by the state’s governor, working with the state workforce board, and then approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education
Colleges must also limit tuition and fees for these programs based on what their graduates earn.
Every approved Workforce Pell program so far
| Approved | State | College | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 4, 2026 | Iowa | Iowa Central Community College | Emergency Medical Technician (14 weeks) |
| Aug. 19, 2026 | Indiana | Ivy Tech Community College | Clinical Medical Assistant (8 weeks) |
| Sept. 14, 2026 | Nebraska | Metropolitan Community College | Phlebotomy Technician; Pharmacy Technician; CompTIA Tech+ with Google IT Support |
| Sept. 22, 2026 | Texas | Kilgore College | Electrical Power Lineman; Phlebotomy Technician; Pharmacy Technician |
| Sept. 22, 2026 | Texas | Weatherford College | HVAC; Basic Machining; Advanced Machining |
| Sept. 25, 2026 | North Carolina | Forsyth Technical Community College | 6 programs preparing firefighters, electrical power-line installers and repairers, welders and cutters, paramedics, nursing assistants and more |
| Sept. 28, 2026 | Florida | Eastern Florida State College | 4 programs preparing firefighters, correctional officers, emergency management technicians and more |
Where the Department named each program, we list it by name. For North Carolina and Florida, the announcements described the careers the programs prepare students for rather than listing every program title.
What the first approvals tell us
- Skilled trades are well represented. Power line work shows up in two states (Texas and North Carolina), along with HVAC, machining and welding.
- Healthcare is the biggest group. EMT, medical assistant, phlebotomy, pharmacy technician, paramedic and nursing assistant programs make up a large share of the list.
- Public safety is growing. Firefighter programs were approved in both North Carolina and Florida.
- Community and technical colleges are leading. Every approval so far has gone to a two-year college.
Is Washington on the list?
Not yet. As of October 13, 2026, the Department of Education has not announced any approved Workforce Pell programs in Washington. The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges has a Workforce Pell page with information on the state’s process. We’ll add Washington programs here as soon as the Department announces them.
How to find out if your program qualifies
- Fill out the FAFSA. Workforce Pell uses the same application as a regular Pell Grant.
- Ask the college’s financial aid office whether the specific program you want is approved for Workforce Pell. Approval is program by program, not college-wide.
- Check this list. If a program isn’t on it yet, it may still be waiting on state certification or federal approval.
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Frequently asked questions
How many Workforce Pell programs have been approved?
As of October 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education has announced 21 approved programs at 7 colleges in Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Texas, North Carolina and Florida.
Which was the first Workforce Pell program?
The Emergency Medical Technician program at Iowa Central Community College, approved on August 4, 2026.
How long are Workforce Pell programs?
Eligible programs have 150 to 599 clock hours of instruction and take at least 8 weeks but less than 15 weeks to complete.
Are any skilled trades programs approved?
Yes. Approved programs include Electrical Power Lineman, HVAC, Basic Machining and Advanced Machining in Texas, and programs for power-line installers and welders in North Carolina.
Does Washington have any approved Workforce Pell programs?
Not as of October 13, 2026. We will update this page when the Department of Education announces approvals in Washington.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education: Nation’s First Workforce Pell Grant Program in Iowa (Aug. 4, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Education: Second Workforce Pell Grant Program in Indiana (Aug. 19, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Education: Workforce Pell Grant Programs in Nebraska (Sept. 14, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Education: Workforce Pell Grant Programs in Texas (Sept. 22, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Education: Workforce Pell Grant Programs in North Carolina (Sept. 25, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Education: Workforce Pell Grant Programs in Florida (Sept. 28, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Education: Final Rule to Create New Workforce Pell Grant Program (May 18, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Education: Proposed Rules to Implement Workforce Pell Grants
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