Department of Labor & Workforce Development

What Career and Training Seekers Need to Know - Workforce Pell Grants in New Jersey

Workforce Pell is designed to make it more affordable to get short-term workforce training that leads to a good-paying job. When combined with support from your local Career Center, you’ll find the journey from training to employment more achievable than ever before.

You may be eligible if you:

Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Demonstrate financial need
Are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Have a high school diploma, GED, or qualify through an alternative pathway
Do not have a graduate degree
Have not used up your lifetime eligibility for Pell Grants
Enroll in an approved Workforce Pell program

This includes unemployed workers, underemployed adults, people changing careers, incumbent workers, and eligible youth.

Workforce Pell typically covers:

Tuition
Fees
Books (when included in tuition/fees)

Need additional help? Through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), you may also receive support for:

Transportation
Childcare
Tools, uniforms, and supplies
Licensing exam fees
Case management and career coaching

Your local One-Stop Career Center (American Job Center) can help you by:

Telling you about Workforce Pell programs available in your area
Referring you to eligible training programs
Checking if you qualify for additional WIOA services
Enrolling you in WIOA alongside your Pell-funded training ("co-enrollment")
Connecting you with supportive services like transportation or childcare assistance
Working with your college advisor to coordinate your training
Referring you to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for assistance in filling out your FAFSA student aid form

Important: Career Centers do not determine your Pell eligibility or handle Pell money. That is managed by the college's financial aid office.