Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Maryland Workforce Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grant eligibility is expanding to short-term, career-focused training that delivers industry-recognized credentials and measurable employment results.

Maryland's Workforce Pell Program Determination Policy sets the state's standards and process for identifying, reviewing, and approving short-term workforce training programs under the federal Workforce Pell Grant effective July 1, 2026. Maryland is taking a phased, data-driven approach built on three core objectives:

  1. Connect programs to high-skill, high-wage, in-demand occupations to close talent gaps in key sectors;
  2. Deliver quality outcomes learners can count on; and
  3. Build a transparent, consistent process that strengthens employer engagement and connects students to the resources they need to succeed.

Maryland is now accepting applications from eligible institutions. Information for learners will follow once state-approved programs receive final approval from the U.S. Department of Education.

Apply on the Maryland Workforce Exchange Read the Policy

Quick Links

Quick Links

What Is Workforce Pell?

What Is Workforce Pell?

Workforce Pell was created by the U.S. Congress through H.R. 1 (2025) and expands federal Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in short-term, career-focused training programs — as short as 8 weeks and between 150–599 clock hours — that meet rigorous quality standards and lead to a recognized postsecondary credential.

Federal law gives Governors, in consultation with their State Workforce Development Boards, the authority to set key eligibility standards for their state. In Maryland, the GWDB leads Workforce Pell policy and implementation on the Governor's behalf, to connect residents to training for good jobs in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations — including Maryland's core sectors like healthcare, cybersecurity, and infrastructure, and "lighthouse industries" such as life sciences, information technology, and aerospace.

The U.S. Department of Education issued final Workforce Pell regulations on May 19, 2026. Maryland adopts ED's regulations by reference; this policy describes how Maryland implements them.

For Institutions & Training Providers

For Institutions & Training Providers

Participation in Workforce Pell is voluntary. To be eligible, a program must be offered by a Title IV–eligible postsecondary institution and meet all of the following:

  • 8 to 14 weeks of instruction
  • 150–599 clock hours (or the equivalent in semester, trimester, or quarter hours)
  • Leads to a recognized, stackable, and portable postsecondary credential (or the only recognized credential for that occupation)
  • Trains students for a high-wage, high-skill, or in-demand occupation as defined by the State — or demonstrates stackability into one
  • Demonstrates alignment to employer hiring needs
  • Demonstrates a 70% completion rate
  • Demonstrates a 70% job placement rate at 6 months, verified through wage record data
  • Provides academic credit toward at least one certificate or degree program at an eligible institution
  • Has total tuition and fees below the program's Value-Added Earnings (beginning award year 2029–2030)
  • Has operated and met these requirements for at least one year

Programs that are part of a Registered Apprenticeship recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor or MD Labor are considered to meet the high-skill/high-wage/in-demand and employer-alignment criteria automatically, but must still meet all other requirements above.

Full eligibility details are in the Maryland Workforce Pell Program Determination Policy — [LINK Forthcoming: Policy].

How to Apply

How to Apply, Review Timeline, & Appeals

Maryland uses a single, unified application for the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) and Workforce Pell, hosted on the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly.

Steps to Apply

  • 1. Review the Program Determination Policy to confirm your program meets eligibility criteria — [LINK forthcoming: policy]
  • 2. Check your program's occupation against Maryland's High-Wage, High-Skill, or In-Demand Occupations List — [LINK forthcoming: policy]
  • 3. Create or log in to your provider account on the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE) — MWE provider login/registration
  • 4. If your program is already on the ETPL: reopen your application and select "Yes" on the Workforce Pell prompt, then complete the remaining required fields to fulfill Program Determination Policy requirements. If not yet on the ETPL: complete the full unified ETPL/Workforce Pell application.
  • 5. Submit. GWDB staff will conduct a technical review, and the cross-agency Workforce Pell Review Committee will issue a consensus recommendation to the GWDB Chair. Final state program eligibility determinations will be issued to institutions / providers.
  • 6. Submit state-certified programs to U.S. Department of Education following the instructions provided in the Federal Student Aid Electronic Announcement GENERAL-26-44

Review Timeline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Quarterly State eligibility determinations are issued in August, November, February, and May of each year.

Once a program receives State approval, the institution submits documentation to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for federal approval. Institutions must notify GWDB and MHEC when ED issues its determination, at [email protected]. Approved programs are noted on the ETPL and published on MHEC's website within 30 days of ED's determination.

Continuing Eligibility

Federal regulations require an annual continuing-eligibility review. Maryland's first continuing eligibility determinations will be issued as early as August 2027, for programs approved one year prior, and will be incorporated into the regular quarterly review cycle.

Appeals

Programs that fall below a required threshold (such as the 70% job placement rate) may have an appeal pathway; see Appendix B of the policy for detail — [LINK NEEDED: policy URL, Appendix B anchor]

Who's Involved (Agency Roles)

Who's Involved

Workforce Pell in Maryland is implemented through a coordinated, cross-agency approach:

Agency

Role

Governor's Workforce Development Board (GWDB)

Sets statewide eligibility standards; is the primary point of contact for institutions; manages the MWE application process; coordinates the Workforce Pell Review Committee; issues State eligibility determinations on the Governor's behalf; maintains records of approved programs.

Maryland Department of Labor (MD Labor)

Provides labor market data to maintain the high-wage/high-skill/in-demand occupations list; hosts the Workforce Pell application platform (MWE); administers ETPL approvals; supports wage data for continuing eligibility, as needed.

Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)

Supports alignment with accreditation, credit articulation, and credential quality; provides technical assistance on financial aid and institutional compliance; publishes the list of approved programs.

Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center (MLDSC)

Partners on outcomes measurement and reporting to State agencies, the Maryland General Assembly, ED, and the public.

For Students & Families

For Students & Families

If you're interested in a career training program, Workforce Pell may help cover the cost — even if your program is shorter than a traditional degree.

  • Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to be considered.
  • Ask your school's financial aid office whether your program is Workforce Pell–approved.
  • Browse the list of Maryland's approved Workforce Pell programs — [LINK NEEDED: MHEC public program list URL, once available]

Guidance & Resources

Guidance & Resources

Contact

Questions?

General inquiries: [email protected]

Rachael Stephens Parker, Executive Director, GWDB — [email protected]

Justin Nalley, Manager, Policy & Strategic Initiatives, GWDB — [email protected]