Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press
Sydney Webb, a 26-year-old bartender, saved to pay for an eight-week certified nursing assistant program at Forsyth Technical Community College in North Carolina. The total cost included a $255 registration fee, a background check, scrubs, a stethoscope, special shoes, and a state certification exam, all while working reduced hours to attend classes. "It shocked me a little bit how expensive it was," said Webb, who aspires to be an ultrasound operator.
Students at Forsyth Technical Community College may soon receive additional financial support through a new federal grant program called Workforce Pell, aimed at helping those enrolled in short-term job training programs. Traditionally, Pell grants have assisted low- and moderate-income students in attending college, but eligibility was limited to programs lasting at least 15 weeks and a minimum of 600 hours. The recent expansion allows some shorter-term programs to qualify for funding.
The federal government began accepting applications for Workforce Pell in July, with the first approved programs being an emergency medical technician program in Iowa and a medical assistant program in Indiana. Numerous other programs across states including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Louisiana, and Nebraska are awaiting approval. These programs prepare students for careers such as truck drivers, electrical line workers, phlebotomists, IT support technicians, firefighters, and welders.
Chandler LeBoeuf, executive vice president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, noted that the cost of short-term classes can be a significant barrier for students seeking employment or wage increases. "That's what excites me about Workforce Pell," he said, acknowledging that while there are limitations, the program aims to address existing barriers over time.
Pell grants, which do not require repayment, are crucial for many lower-income students. Approximately one-third of undergraduate students qualify for these grants, with the amount awarded based on family size and income. For the current year, the maximum grant for full-time students is $7,395. For shorter Workforce Pell programs, the maximum award is $4,310 for a 14-week program and $1,260 for an eight-week program, according to an analysis from New America, a Washington think tank.
The expansion of Pell grants to include short-term programs has been in development for a decade, according to Jim Hermes, associate vice president of government relations at the American Association of Community Colleges. He noted that concerns regarding program quality were a significant hurdle, but Workforce Pell received bipartisan support, including from the Trump administration.
Experts suggest that the full implementation of Workforce Pell grants may take several years. To qualify for Pell funding, programs must achieve a 70% threshold for student completion and job placement, which many states find challenging to monitor. Additionally, the programs must lead to higher earnings and provide credentials that are "stackable," meaning they can be built upon.
Programs must last between eight and 15 weeks and must have been operational for at least one year to qualify. Robert Kelchen, a professor at the University of Tennessee, expressed that a gradual rollout of these programs is beneficial to ensure quality and necessity, preventing potential misuse of taxpayer dollars.
Concerns have been raised that some students may exhaust their lifetime 12-semester Pell benefits on short-term programs instead of pursuing a bachelor's degree, which could offer higher earning potential. Wesley Whistle, project director for student success and affordability at New America, commented on the rhetoric surrounding short-term programs, stating, "I don't think that's actually going to be true generally speaking."
A study from the Association of Community College Trustees indicated that most students experienced wage increases after completing short-term programs, although many still earned below $25,000 annually.
Currently, about two-thirds of states have processes for colleges to apply for approval for Workforce Pell funding. Carrie Warick-Smith, vice president for public policy for the Association of Community College Trustees, noted that while many schools are interested, implementation has been challenging. In contrast, Forsyth Technical Community College is prepared to utilize the funding, with Devin Purgason, the executive director of marketing, expressing eagerness to promote the program once federal approval is granted.
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