Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Providers must be institutions accredited to participate in Title IV of the Higher Education Act that offer eligible short-term, non-degree training programs. Programs considered must meet established criteria that include:

• Length: 150-599 clock hours (or credit-hour equivalent) and 8-14 weeks
• In-Demand Occupation: Aligned with an occupation that is on New Jersey’s statewide in-demand occupations list or is eligible for a local or regional waiver
• Program Maturity: Offered for at least one year prior to approval by the U.S. Department of Education
• Completion Rate: At least 70% of students complete within 150% of normal program time
• Job Placement Rate: At least 70% as measured 180 days after completion
• Credential: Leads to a recognized postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable, or the sole recognized credential for that occupation
• Credit Articulation: Prepares students for further education, credit or learning accepted toward a related certificate or degree program

To be approved, eligible workforce programs must: “be approved by the institution’s accrediting agency or be included in the institution’s grant of accreditation by its accreditor, be approved by the State Governor; and be approved by the [U.S.] Department of Education.”

Registered Apprenticeships may count for Workforce Pell and receive special consideration under the Federal guidelines.

Institutions can prepare for future opportunities for program consideration by: reviewing current short-term non-degree training programs to evaluate for program eligibility; building data infrastructure to collect student-level data to evaluate student outcomes and accountability requirements; developing capacity to quantify and improve completion, employment, and value-added earnings outcomes; strengthening institution and employer partnerships to meet the stackability and portability provisions; providing proactive advising and supports to potential students; designating a point of contact to coordinate institution’s Workforce Pell programs; and staying informed on evolving guidance and technical assistance from your accrediting agency, State and Federal government.

With a few exceptions, students participating in Workforce Pell must meet the same eligibility requirements as traditional Pell Grant recipients. Institutions will need to consider how to provide students with information and supports to successfully access and complete Workforce Pell programs that lead to a higher-level program or employment.  This may include: marketing, financial aid and academic advising, basic needs supports, and career counseling.

Workforce Pell participation impacts students’ lifetime Pell eligibility; therefore, strong and proactive coordination, communication, and advising are essential to support informed student decision-making and institutional success.

As the federal government established the parameters and requirements for Workforce Pell eligibility and participation, institutions should become familiar with applicable federal requestions and guidance.

• Federal Register: Workforce Pell Grant Final Rule
• U.S. Department of Education Fact Sheet: Trump Administration Implements Workforce Pell Grant Provisions of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act
• Calculation of a Federal Pell Grant for an Eligible Workforce Program

As federal guidance may evolve, institutions should regularly monitor updates from the U.S. Department of Education and other relevant federal resources. Technical support and past webinars for institutions on Workforce Pell is also available through the Office of Federal Student Aid Training Center.

The current Workforce Pell pilot year review cycle in New Jersey is closed. Institutions should continue to monitor this website for updates regarding future program submission cycles and related guidance.

Workforce Pell program eligibility is supported through the State’s Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) infrastructure. Institutions interested in future consideration should create an account and register their programs on the ETPL or review current listings already in the system for compliance with Workforce Pell-related standards. Participation on the ETPL can provide benefits beyond Workforce Pell eligibility, including WIOA tuition aid, increased visibility of programs to stakeholders, outcome measurement, and publication on the Credential Registry.