Institutional Eligibility
Those able to apply for Workforce Pell program approval are institutions of higher education that are accredited and able to receive Title IV under the Higher Education Act. An institution is ineligible to have programs approved under Workforce Pell if it has been subject to any suspension or emergency or termination action by the US Education Secretary during the five years preceding the date of the determination.
State approval automatically expires upon the expiration of the institution's Program Participation Agreement (PPA).
Program Eligibility
In order to qualify, programs must:
- Have operated in their current structure for at least 12 months immediately preceding Governor certification
- Have a completion rate of at least 70% (within 150% of normal time for completion)
- Have a job placement rate of 70% (measured at 180 days of program completion)
- Meet the hiring requirements of potential employers in specific sectors or occupations
- Lead to credit as part of a recognized postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable or prepares students for employment in an occupation for which there is only one recognized postsecondary credential
- Prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations designated in the New York State Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan or Perkins V Plan
Duration and Hours
Programs must fall within all of the following:
- At least 8 and under 15 weeks in duration
- 150-599 clock hours
- 4-15 semester or trimester credit hours
- 6-23 quarter credit hours
Regulations prohibit Workforce Pell grants toward correspondence courses, study abroad, or direct assessment in eligible workforce programs. Regulations allow comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs and prison education programs.
Programs that serve as related technical instruction as part of a Registered Apprenticeship Program are allowed and are automatically deemed as meeting the requirements of providing an education aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, and meeting the hiring needs of employers.
Threshold Programs
Programs must not have substantively changed from prior iterations to be considered existing for at least one year. For example, if the curriculum and instruction is substantively unchanged, a program that operated over 16 weeks, for example, may be counted if the same program can be completed within less than 15 weeks.
A program shall be considered substantively unchanged where the core curriculum, intended occupational outcome, credential awarded, instructional competencies, and employer-aligned learning outcomes remain materially the same, although there may be changes to schedule format, duration, modality, or delivery sequence.
Academic Articulation and Industry Validation
Credit-bearing programs must show stackability to registered credentials. Non-credit programs require CAO certification or a formal transfer agreement.
Programs that are not Registered Apprentice Programs must provide industry validation through one of the following:
- Advisory board minutes
- Employer letters of support
- Local Workforce Investment Board endorsement
Eligible Industries and Occupations
Eligible industries and occupations are outlined in New York State's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Perkins Plans, to help determine whether a workforce training program qualifies for Workforce Pell.
Student Eligibility
Students enrolled in or who have completed a bachelor’s degree may be eligible for Workforce Pell. Students enrolled in or who have completed a graduate program or earned a graduate degree are not eligible. Students cannot receive Workforce Pell at the same time as another Pell Grant or other federal Title IV student aid.
See Student Eligibility FAQs for more details.
Workforce Pell Policy Framework
Review the administrative policies and procedures institutions must follow for Workforce Pell programs, including academic credit, industry validation, stackability and portability, and additional program requirements.
For the complete framework, including all policies and requirements, view the full Workforce Pell Administrative Policies and Procedures document.