By admin 
In one of the most significant expansions of federal financial aid in decades, President Donald Trump signed the Workforce Pell Grant program into law last year.
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Now, students across the nation can receive Pell Grants not only to pay for traditional undergraduate degrees, but also short-term workforce training programs like apprenticeships, career and technical education and certificate programs.
But which programs in California qualify for these need-based grants? The federal government has left it to the states to identify high-demand industries and grant Workforce Pell eligibility accordingly. Programs must meet time and length requirements, completion percentages and employment metrics, per the U.S. Department of Education.
Taking the first major step in this process, the California Student Aid Commission is set to open an application portal Oct. 21 through which higher education institutions and career technical education providers can apply for state authorization to participate in the Workforce Pell program.
Per state law, the commission — in consultation with the California Workforce Development Board and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency — is tasked with determining if an institution’s short-term program meets the state and federal program requirements. The grant is designed for programs running between eight and 15 weeks that help learners quickly gain specialized skills for in-demand careers.
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Once a program is deemed eligible by the state commission, institutions must submit their information to the U.S. Department of Education for final approval. After the federal department notifies institutions of their eligibility, the campus financial aid offices will be able to disburse Workforce Pell Grants to students.
“California is building more pathways to good-paying careers — and making sure opportunity isn’t limited by where you come from or whether you have a four-year degree,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement. “Through Workforce Pell, we’re expanding financial aid opportunities and helping Californians move faster into in-demand jobs, build new skills, and get ahead in our growing economy.”
With the launch of the state application portal, institutions could become eligible for the Workforce Pell program as soon as in the current academic year. This means that eligible students enrolled in approved short-term programs can soon begin receiving federal Workforce Pell Grants. To be eligible, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and meet the criteria for federal Pell Grants.
These grants, unlike traditional Pell Grants, can be used by students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Students can stack them on top of Cal Grant C, the state financial aid program for occupational training programs, to fund their workforce education.
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