Consensus Reached on Workforce Pell, Earnings Test Looms
Jessica Blake
December 15, 2025
The committee will now move on to how to hold all programs accountable, and ED officials say they plan to create a level playing field, hinting at an overhaul of gainful employment.
A limited number of short-term job training programs may be able to access the Pell Grant starting July 1, 2026 if they pass the regulatory guardrails established under proposed regulations signed off on Friday by the Department of Education and its advisory rule-making committee.
The department will next post the draft regulations on the Federal Register and take public comment. After that, officials will have to review and respond to the public comments before finalizing the rule. Once that happens, governors can start the process and approve certain in-demand certification programs for Workforce Pell.
