Workforce Pell Program Determination Policy
The establishment of Workforce Pell Grants presents Minnesota with an opportunity to expand access to high-quality, short-term training programs that lead to in-demand careers. By extending Pell Grant eligibility to workforce-focused credentials, the state can strengthen alignment between education, workforce, and employer partners while improving pathways to economic mobility for learners. Minnesota's approach to Workforce Pell implementation emphasizes coordinated planning, clear quality standards, and cross-agency collaboration to ensure programs deliver strong outcomes for both participants and employers. This effort builds on the state's broader workforce strategy and supports a more responsive, equitable talent development system.
Program Determination Policy
The Workforce Pell expansion requires Governors, in consultation with State Workforce Development Boards to establish a transparent and publicly available process for determining eligible short-term training programs. This process is intended to ensure that Workforce Pell-supported programs meet clear quality standards and align with state workforce priorities and labor market demand.
Consistent with federal requirements, the Governor, working in partnership with the Governor's Workforce Development Board, Department of Employment and Economic Development, and the Office of Higher Education, will implement and maintain a review process that is accessible to the public, responsive to evolving labor market conditions, and focused on improving outcomes for both learners and employers.
The proposed policy was developed through an interagency workgroup and engagement with a committee of the GWDB, which includes members from business, labor, community-based organizations, education, local workforce boards, and other workforce partners across the state. The Program Determination policy must be approved by voting members of the GWDB prior to final Governor approval and implementation of the state's program approval process.
The Governor's Workforce Development Board’s 30-day public comment period concluded on May 7, 2026, and the summarized response report has been made available.
Minnesota’s Workforce Pell program application window will open on June 1, 2026. More information can be found on the Minnesota Office of Higher Education’s Workforce Pell webpage.
If you have questions specific to Minnesota’s Workforce Pell Program Determination policy, please contact workforcepell.deed@state.mn.us.
Additional Links:
Federal Register
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Public Law 119-21
SEC. 83002 – Workforce Pell Grants
Information for Institutions
Minnesota Workforce Pell Resources and Information | MN Office of Higher Education
Information for Students
Minnesota Workforce Pell | MN Office of Higher Education
*The State Determination Policy reflected on this page was developed based on current federal statutory requirements and the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Workforce Pell. The policy is being shared for transparency and public input purposes. The final State Determination Policy, subject to approval by the Governor's Workforce Development Board and the Governor, may be modified to reflect the final federal rule, additional federal policy, and/or Board deliberations.