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 proposed program determination policy is now open for a 30-day Public Comment Period, closing on May 7, 2026.
The proposed program determination policy includes the following sections:
- Priority Occupations Methodology: Defines how the state identifies high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations to ensure Workforce Pell-eligible programs align with current and project labor market needs.
- Employer Validation: Defines requirements for how Workforce Pell-eligible programs align with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors or occupations.
- Stackability, Portability, and Noncredit-to Credit Conversion: Defines how Workforce Pell‑eligible programs will be evaluated to ensure they meet requirements for stackability and portability across multiple employers. It also outlines how programs must prepare students to pursue additional certificates or degree pathways, and how academic credit will be accepted toward those programs.
- Program Determination Process: Establishes the procedures the state will use to evaluate and approve Workforce Pell-eligible programs.
Public Comment
If you would like to provide comments on the draft Workforce Pell Program Determination Policy for 2026-2027, please share your comments on the draft via email to workforcepell.deed@state.mn.us by May 7, 2026. Please note that your comments will be public, meaning they may be shared in future publications or communications related to Workforce Pell planning.
Contact Kevion.ellis@state.mn.us to request documents in alternative formats.
Federal Register
Monday, March 9, 2026
Public Law 119-21
SEC. 83002 – Workforce Pell Grants
*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.