Short-Term Pell Is Law. Now the Real Work Begins.
Steve Taylor
August 19, 2025
From debates over student loan forgiveness to the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Education, the federal government’s role in postsecondary education has become a partisan flashpoint. Often lost in the noise, however, are the students themselves—and the surprising ways both Republicans and Democrats are increasingly aligned to support them.
The recent reconciliation bill was no exception, drawing intense scrutiny and sparking sharp disagreement across ideological lines. And yet, tucked within that highly controversial package was a rare point of bipartisan consensus: expanding federal financial aid to include short-term, workforce-focused training programs.
After years of advocacy and cross-aisle support, short-term Pell is finally a reality. Now the real challenge begins. Colleges and training providers will need to mobilize quickly to deliver high-quality programs that have long existed outside the bounds of traditional institutions and beyond the reach of public funding.
