Governor Hochul Announces Workforce Pell Applications Open to Expand Access to High-Demand, Short-term Job Training

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has officially opened the application portal for the Workforce Pell Program. This transformative initiative expands federal Pell Grant eligibility to students pursuing high-demand, short-term postsecondary credentials. By making shorter training programs more affordable, it will help thousands of New Yorkers fast-track their careers in the state's most critical industries, from advanced manufacturing to healthcare.

"Every New Yorker deserves an affordable path to a good-paying career," Governor Hochul said. "By opening up federal Pell Grants to short-term credentials with a track record of delivering for New Yorkers, we are leveling the playing field for working families and building a robust pipeline of skilled talent to power New York's fastest-growing industries. We are telling employers that New York is open for business and ready to meet their workforce needs."

Historically, federal Pell Grants have been restricted to traditional, longer-term degree programs, leaving many adult learners and working-class students unable to afford rapid, career-focused training. The new Workforce Pell Program allows students to utilize these grants for high-quality programs lasting at least eight and under 15 weeks (150-599 clock hours).

The launch of this portal will allow higher education institutions to apply for their programs that show strong results for students to receive Workforce Pell Funding. To administer the rollout and ensure the state moves to allow New Yorkers to quickly access programs that deliver results, Governor Hochul has established the Workforce Pell Advisory Committee. The Committee, featuring representatives from the Governor's Office, the New York State Department of Labor, SUNY, CUNY and both non-profit and for-profit private colleges, will meet monthly to review and recommend eligible programs for certification.

To qualify for Workforce Pell certification, higher education institutions must prove that their programs have a track record of helping New Yorkers - they must be aligned to the needs of the labor market and meet quality and performance criteria, including:

• Labor Market Alignment: Programs must explicitly prepare students for high-skill, high-wage or in-demand occupations as designated in the New York State Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan or Perkins V Plan.
• Proven Track Records: Programs must have operated for at least 12 months prior to certification, maintaining a minimum 70 percent completion rate and a 70 percent job placement rate measured 180 days post-completion.
• Stackable & Portable Credentials: Credit-bearing programs must demonstrate direct "stackability" to registered certificate or degree programs. Non-credit programs must show that they will lead to further opportunity for participants.
• Apprenticeship Integration: Programs operating as Related Technical Instruction for a Registered Apprenticeship Program automatically satisfy industry alignment and employer hiring requirements, further strengthening New York's robust union and trade pipelines.

Today's is further proof that Governor Hochul has kept her promise to fight for New York Families. Since taking the oath of office five years ago today, she has established a strong track record of investments in higher education affordability including:

• Tuition Freezes: Holding the line on resident undergraduate tuition costs by enacting multi-year tuition freezes across SUNY state-operated campuses and CUNY senior colleges.
• Historic TAP Expansion: Overseeing historic expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) by raising the income eligibility limit for dependent students from $80,000 to $125,000, doubling the minimum award from $500 to $1,000 and extending eligibility to part-time students taking as few as 3 credits.
• Universal FAFSA & Application Fee Waivers: Enacting universal FAFSA completion measures and waived college application fees for over 300,000 applicants during NYS College Application Month, saving families millions of dollars.
• SUNY and CUNY Reconnect: Providing a $60M investment for adult learners to attend community college for free if they pursue a degree in a high-demand field such as healthcare, cybersecurity or advanced manufacturing. The program has yielded tremendous results: colleges have fielded 16,500 applications statewide this year and enrolled more than 12,000 students in the program.
• Career Connect Initiative and Doubling the Empire State Service Corps: Invested $17M in ensuring that SUNY and CUNY students have access to paid internship opportunities and career-relevant experiences. In addition, Governor Hochul doubled the Empire State Service Corps at SUNY, building on her commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to get involved in their community.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "By expanding Pell eligibility to high-quality, short-term credentials, we are opening doors of opportunity for thousands of New Yorkers who need rapid pathways to family-sustaining careers. This initiative aligns training directly with the real-time needs of our employers. Whether it is advanced manufacturing, healthcare, or green energy, this program ensures our workforce is equipped with the skills necessary to power New York's economy."

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "SUNY campuses are expanding workforce development programs that advance upward mobility and equip students with in-demand skills for promising careers. Through continued leadership from Governor Hochul, Workforce Pell is increasing the accessibility of higher education programs that change lives and bolster the next generation of New York State's workforce."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Across New York State, SUNY is strengthening workforce development programs as a vital part of academic excellence that helps students succeed throughout their educational journeys and beyond. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their ongoing support of initiatives that fulfill critical workforce needs and ensure students are prepared for in-demand careers."

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, "The rollout of federal Workforce Pell will provide CUNY's eligible continuing education students with direct access to high-quality, short-term training. This expansion complements CUNY's commitment to upward mobility, helping adult learners quickly gain industry-aligned credentials in high-growth fields without incurring debt. We thank Governor Hochul for establishing the Workforce Pell Advisory Committee to ensure the swift distribution of these resources and connect more New Yorkers to sustaining careers."

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, "The people who need this most are the ones who cannot stop working. They already have a job, often more than one, and they are trying to better themselves. Federal aid was never built for them. Workforce Pell corrects that, and it does so in fields where New York desperately needs workers. I thank Governor Hochul for opening the portal and moving this forward."

Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman said, "Expanding access to high-demand careers via the Workforce Pell Grant Program benefits all New Yorkers," said Assemblywoman Alicia L. Hyndman, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. "By providing eligible students an affordable pathway to pursue a high-demand career with short-term postsecondary credentials, which offers job-focused training, we are setting them up to succeed in a hyper-competitive marketplace. Fortifying the program with an advisory committee also ensures that the scholars meet the requirements for their future careers."

Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities President Lola W. Brabham said, "Governor Hochul continues to expand pathways that connect New Yorkers to education, opportunity and well-paying careers. Workforce Pell will help remove barriers to high-quality, short-term credentials, providing New Yorkers with opportunities to upskill while helping to address labor shortages in critical in-demand fields. The Independent sector is proud to be a partner in this effort, and we look forward to working with the Governor to implement a program that supports student success, responds to New York's workforce needs and creates long-term educational pathways that allow students to continue building on their skills and credentials throughout their careers."

New York's Association of Private Colleges President Donna Stelling-Gurnett said, "Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term workforce programs will give more students the flexibility to pursue education and training that will fill gaps in the state's workforce while connecting them to long-term careers. APC institutions appreciate Governor Hochul for recognizing that students need additional pathways to opportunity and remain committed to supporting initiatives that will open more doors for New Yorkers."

Workforce Pell offers additional flexibility for adult learners. Students who have already received a bachelor's degree remain eligible for Workforce Pell, allowing New Yorkers to pivot their careers toward emerging, high-demand sectors without taking on burdensome debt. NY State will be prioritizing high growth, in-demand sectors for review, including Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Aviation Management and Air Traffic Control, Cybersecurity, Emergency Management, Engineering, Green and Renewable Energy, Nursing and Allied Health Fields, Pathways to Teaching in Shortage Areas (including Early Childhood and Childcare), Supply Chain Management/Logistics and Technology.

Eligible institutions of higher education across New York State are encouraged to review the administrative policies, examine eligible WIOA and Perkins V industries and occupations, and submit their program applications via the state portal.

For more information, to view the schedule of the Advisory Committee, or to submit a program application, visit ny.gov/WorkforcePell.