PELL Act of 2025

S. 1683, the PELL Act of 2025 (Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning Act), would amend the Higher Education Act to create a new Workforce Pell Grant program. Currently, federal Pell Grants can only be used for programs lasting at least 600 clock hours and 15 weeks. This bill would expand eligibility to include shorter career training programs in fields like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades that last between 150 and 599 clock hours and take 8 to 15 weeks to complete. Students would receive grant amounts prorated based on program length, typically ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 per program. To qualify, programs must be approved by state governors and workforce boards, meet job placement and earnings benchmarks, and be offered by accredited institutions. The bill is currently under consideration by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.