The Department of Education published a proposed rule to implement changes to the federal Pell Grant program enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including the creation of “Workforce Pell Grants” that would allow eligible students to receive aid for short-term workforce training programs lasting roughly 8 to 15 weeks and between 150 and 599 clock hours (or equivalent credit hours). The proposal provides that programs serving as the classroom or formal training part of a registered apprenticeship program would be treated as meeting key eligibility criteria, including alignment with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations and employer hiring needs. Under the rule, students could receive Pell assistance only for these programs and would be ineligible if non-federal grants or scholarships cover their full cost of attendance, while eligibility limits would also include restrictions on concurrent Pell awards and provisions allowing students with bachelor’s degrees—but not graduate credentials—to participate.
The proposal establishes detailed approval and accountability requirements for eligible workforce programs, including certification by state governors in consultation with workforce development boards and review by the Department of Education. Programs would be required to meet completion and job placement thresholds and comply with a new “value-added earnings” standard under which graduates’ median earnings must exceed program tuition and fees. Programs that fail to meet these benchmarks or lose state approval could lose eligibility for Pell support, while the Department indicated it will coordinate with the Department of Labor on guidance related to programs connected to registered apprenticeship. Comments on the proposed rule are due April 8, 2026.