Pell Grants expand to include short-term training programs

ALBANY | New York State has officially opened the application portal for the Workforce Pell Program. This transformative initiative expands federal Pell Grant eligibility to students pursuing high-demand, short-term postsecondary credentials. By making shorter training programs more affordable, it will help thousands of New Yorkers fast-track their careers in the state's most critical industries, from advanced manufacturing to healthcare. "Every New Yorker deserves an affordable path to a good-paying career," Gov. Hochul said. "By opening up federal Pell Grants to short-term credentials with a track record of delivering for New Yorkers, we are leveling the playing field for working families and building a robust pipeline of skilled talent to power New York's fastest-growing industries. We are telling employers that New York is open for business and ready to meet their workforce needs." Historically, federal Pell Grants have been restricted to traditional, longer-term degree programs, leaving many adult learners and working-class students unable to afford rapid, career-focused training. The new Workforce Pell Program allows students to utilize these grants for high-quality programs lasting at least eight and under 15 weeks (150–599 clock hours). The launch of this portal will allow higher education institutions to apply for their programs that show strong results for students to receive Workforce Pell Funding. To administer the rollout and ensure the state moves to allow New Yorkers to quickly access programs that deliver results, Gov. Hochul has established the Workforce Pell Advisory Committee. The Committee, featuring representatives from the Governor's Office, the New York State Department of Labor, SUNY, CUNY and both non-profit and for-profit private colleges, will meet monthly to review and recommend eligible programs for certification. To qualify for Workforce Pell certification, higher education institutions must prove that their programs have a track record of helping New Yorkers — they must be aligned to the needs of the labor market and meet quality and performance criteria, including: Labor Market Alignment: Programs must explicitly prepare students for high-skill, high-wage or in-demand occupations as designated in the New York State Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan or Perkins V Plan. Proven Track Records: Programs must have operated for at least 12 months prior to certification, maintaining a minimum 70 percent completion rate and a 70 percent job placement rate measured 180 days post-completion. Stackable & Portable Credentials: Credit-bearing programs must demonstrate direct "stackability" to registered certificate or degree programs. Non-credit programs must show that they will lead to further opportunity for participants. Apprenticeship Integration: Programs operating as Related Technical Instruction for a Registered Apprenticeship Program automatically satisfy industry alignment and employer hiring requirements, further strengthening New York's robust union and trade pipelines. Today's announcement is further proof that Gov. Hochul has kept her promise to fight for New York families. Since taking the oath of office five years ago today, she has established a strong track record of investments in higher education affordability including: Tuition Freezes: Holding the line on resident undergraduate tuition costs by enacting multi-year tuition freezes across SUNY state-operated campuses and CUNY senior colleges. Historic TAP Expansion: Overseeing historic expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) by raising the income eligibility limit for dependent students from $80,000 to $125,000, doubling the minimum award from $500 to $1,000 and extending eligibility to part-time students taking as few as 3 credits. Universal FAFSA & Application Fee Waivers: Enacting universal FAFSA completion measures and waived college application fees for over 300,000 applicants during NYS College Application Month, saving families millions of dollars. SUNY and CUNY Reconnect: Providing a $60M investment for adult learners to attend community college for free if they pursue a degree in a high-demand field such as healthcare, cybersecurity or advanced manufacturing. The program has yielded tremendous results: colleges have fielded 16,500 applications statewide this year and enrolled more than 12,000 students in the program. Career Connect Initiative and Doubling the Empire State Service Corps: Invested $17M in ensuring that SUNY and CUNY students have access to paid internship opportunities and career-relevant experiences. In addition, Gov. Hochul doubled the Empire State Service Corps at SUNY, building on her commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to get involved in their community. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "SUNY campuses are expanding workforce development programs that advance upward mobility and equip students with in-demand skills for promising careers. Through continued leadership from Gov. Hochul, Workforce Pell is increasing the accessibility of higher education programs that change lives and bolster the next generation of New York State's workforce." Workforce Pell offers additional flexibility for adult learners. Students who have already received a bachelor's degree remain eligible for Workforce Pell, allowing New Yorkers to pivot their careers toward emerging, high-demand sectors without taking on burdensome debt. New York State will be prioritizing high growth, in-demand sectors for review, including Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Aviation Management and Air Traffic Control, Cybersecurity, Emergency Management, Engineering, Green and Renewable Energy, Nursing and Allied Health Fields, Pathways to Teaching in Shortage Areas (including Early Childhood and Childcare), Supply Chain Management/Logistics and Technology. Eligible institutions of higher education across New York State are encouraged to review the administrative policies, examine eligible WIOA and Perkins V industries and occupations, and submit their program applications via the state portal. For more information or to view the schedule of the Advisory Committee or submit a program application, visit ny.gov/WorkforcePell.

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Pell Grants expand to include short-term training programs

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