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The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) today concluded the first week of its Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) negotiated rulemaking committee, where negotiators reached consensus to create the federal government’s new Workforce Pell Grant program as outlined in President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act (the Act).
Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) partnered with Department officials and higher education stakeholders to help craft the consensus language to ensure the Workforce Pell Grant program develops and supports our nation’s workforce. Starting in July 2026, students enrolled in short-term credential programs, including Emergency Medical Technicians, automotive mechanics, and more, will have access to Federal funds to help them attain high-wage, in-demand skills necessary for employment. Not only will this program help fill the growing skills-gap and labor shortage, but it will create a stronger talent pipeline for our nation’s workforce.
“The Department appreciates the work of the negotiating committee and is pleased that it reached consensus on a regulatory framework for the new Workforce Pell Grant program,” said Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent. “This framework will strengthen connections between higher education, states, and employers to enable more students to graduate from high-quality, short-term programs with the skills needed to succeed in our economy. We look forward to the committee’s return next month as we turn toward designing a sector-neutral accountability structure that ensures institutions are held accountable when their graduates experience low earning outcomes.”
“The Department of Labor is working closely with the Department of Education to expand Pell Grants to short-term career programs and open new pathways beyond traditional four-year degrees,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “This historic investment will help fill the 700,000 open skilled trades jobs and ensure we achieve President Trump’s goal of reaching and surpassing one million active apprentices.”
During the five-day session, committee negotiators accepted more than a dozen changes to the proposed regulatory text and evaluated more than 80 proposed changes over the course of the week. For example, the committee amended the initial proposal to allow for bilateral agreements among states to help replicate high-quality, short-term programs. The committee also adopted several proposals to better align the new program with programs run by the Department and DOL under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. With the successful conclusion of the first session, the Department will begin drafting a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to effectuate the committee’s consensus decision.
Next month, the Department looks forward to working with the committee to develop a new accountability framework that brings fairness and parity across higher education, ensuring that all institutions are held accountable.
Background:
Section 492 of the Higher Education Act (HEA) requires that the Secretary of Education solicit public comment in the development of proposed regulations before publishing a NPRM implementing programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA. After obtaining advice and recommendations from the public and stakeholders, the Secretary conducts negotiated rulemaking to develop the proposed regulations.
In July, President Trump signed the Act into law, which implemented sweeping changes to simplify the overly complex federal student loan repayment system, create the first Workforce Pell Grant program, and enhance accountability measures for higher education programs. On July 24, the Department announced its intention to establish the AHEAD Committee to prepare proposed regulations for Workforce Pell and accountability. On August 7, the Department hosted a virtual public hearing to gather robust feedback on ways to improve higher education regulations to implement the Act.
For more information on the negotiated rulemaking process, see here.
