Workforce Pell Grants

Workforce Pell Grants expand federal financial aid to cover short-term workforce training programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand jobs, enacted by Congress through H.R. 1 of 2025. The primary goal is to extend Pell Grant eligibility to learners and workers seeking short-term career training.

Michigan training providers must request state approval of programs as the initial step toward seeking eligibility for Workforce Pell funding. Federal law requires the Governor, in consultation with the Michigan Workforce Development Board, Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO), and Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), to determine eligible programs before institutions can apply for federal program approval.

Eligible programs are short-term workforce training programs that prepare participants for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers in accordance with state policy guidance and federal rulemaking publications.

To seek state approval, training providers must complete a four-step process: (1) verify program eligibility requirements, (2) register the program on Michigan Training Connect (MiTC), (3) submit the Workforce Pell supplemental application, and (4) upload participant data in MiTC. Following the closure of Application Window 1 on June 15, 2026, Application Window 2 runs from January 15, 2027, to February 12, 2027. The State of Michigan will review submitted applications and provide approval or denial letters by April 1, 2027.