Last week, President Biden announced a historic new investment in the Pell Grant program. Signaling a response to both the impacts of COVID-19 on postsecondary education and the need to ensure learners gain access to academic programs and training that encourage economic mobility, the investment aligns with trends we’ve seen accelerated over the last several years. Even before the pandemic, displaced workers and mid-career changers were increasingly opting for faster — and cheaper — entry points into the workforce.
President Biden’s speech comes on the heels of a March announcement from Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH) where they reintroduced the Jumpstart Our Businesses By Supporting Students, or JOBS Act, to make short-term (non-degree) programs eligible for federal Pell Grants.
Short-term programs help meet the needs of COVID-impacted workers. The programs are often closely aligned with the demands of local labor markets and can serve as a springboard for those interested in “stacking” credits toward longer degree programs, entering specialized occupations or pursuing education as a working adult.
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