Today, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) announced a final rule to implement the Workforce Pell Grant program created under President Trump’s historic Working Families Tax Cuts Act (the Act). Beginning on July 1, 2026, students will be able to receive Pell Grants for enrollment in high-quality, short-term educational programs that prepare them for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand jobs. This new program will help more Americans rapidly enter the workforce with little-to-no student debt while simultaneously strengthening the nation’s talent pipeline.
The new program advances the vision of America’s Talent Strategy, prioritizing career and technical education (CTE), strengthening America’s workforce, and helping students to enter professions quickly through upskilling or reskilling.
Currently, institutions of higher education award Federal Pell Grants to students with financial need to help them earn undergraduate degrees and certificatecredentials programs. Workforce Pell bridges the gap between education and employment by allowing Pell Grants to be used for workforce training programs that prepare individuals for immediate employment in as little as 8 weeks. In addition, Workforce Pell requires colleges to limit their tuition and fees based on the earnings of program graduates, ensuring that programs continue to demonstrate value over time.
Workforce Pell was created in response to a simple truth: a great education and a better life do not necessarily require a four-year college degree. Whether through apprenticeships, hands-on CTE, or certificate programs, pathways that prepare students for high-skill, family-sustaining employment are critical to our nation’s success and should have access to the same Pell Grant funding as traditional undergraduate programs.
“The Trump Administration’s postsecondary education agenda is straightforward: we should shift away from high-cost, low-value programs to low-cost, high-value programs,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Americans should not have to spend years in college and take on debt they may never be able to repay before entering the workforce. Under President Trump’s leadership, American students will soon be able to graduate with little to no debt and be well-prepared to start earning in one of today’s in-demand jobs in weeks, not years.”
“Pell Grants will now reach high-quality, short-term workforce programs in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand fields,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “No more forcing Americans to choose between long, expensive degrees or no training at all. This opens doors for Registered Apprenticeships, career and technical education, and targeted-skills training-programs that lead to good-paying jobs, fast.”
Governors, in consultation with State workforce boards, will identify high-demand industries and career fields in order to determine which workforce programs are eligible to receive Workforce Pell Grant funds. Eligible programs will then be required to meet certain time and length requirements, completion percentages, and employment metrics, and prove they deliver a real return on investment for students as shown by data. This process provides the opportunity for real collaboration between States and Governors to identify programs that will greatly impact job outcomes and economic return in their State.
Additionally, Governors will be able to collaborate on workforce programs through bilateral agreements, allowing an eligible institution in one State to offer an eligible workforce program to students in another State through distance education.