Published on Friday, August 14, 2026
New federal program expands federal aid for eligible workforce training programs
PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (RIOPC) announced the opening of applications for eligible training providers seeking approval to participate in the new federal Workforce Pell Grant program. The program will expand access to federal financial aid for students enrolled in state-approved, short-term workforce training programs that meet federal and state requirements.
“Today, we are taking the next step to prepare Rhode Islanders for greater earning power,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This new use of Workforce Pell grants makes critical training programs more affordable and will help us grow in areas such as culinary arts, manufacturing, and building trades.”
Workforce Pell-eligible programs must, among other requirements, span 8 to 15 weeks; align with high-skill, high-wage, in-demand occupations; and count toward academic credit for a certificate or degree program. The program’s design is the result of collaboration among RIOPC staff, members of the Office of Governor McKee, and Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training staff.
“Rhode Island is a hotbed of workforce training opportunities. We are creating a system that will support three groups: postsecondary training providers; employers who are facing workforce shortages; and students who want to access their federal Pell money for shorter-term training that leads to excellent jobs,” said Postsecondary Education Commissioner Shannon Gilkey, Ed.D. “The new Workforce Pell grants are tied to individuals’ lifetime Pell Grant allotments, and we take that very seriously. We are building a process in Rhode Island that helps to connect students who complete the short-term trainings with available, good-paying jobs.”
“For generations, Pell Grants have transformed lives by opening doors to higher education for people who otherwise may never have had the opportunity. Workforce Pell will extend that promise to even more Rhode Islanders by creating new opportunities for individuals to gain in-demand skills, enter growing industries, and increase their earning potential,” said CCRI President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN.
Catherine McConnell, RIOPC’s chief strategy officer, is responsible for the design and implementation of the process that sets up Rhode Island’s Workforce Pell program for future success. She explained that the first step is to start small and build.
“We are launching a pilot process for initial eligibility and expect to expand it in 2027,” said McConnell. “As a state, we prioritized the occupations that meet the high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand criteria. Institutions that offer training in the primary occupations can begin the process for approval in the pilot immediately.”
Institutions interested in participating should first review their programs to determine whether they meet federal Workforce Pell eligibility requirements as promulgated by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (Public Law 119–21, July 2025). RIOPC, the Governor’s designee agency for administering the program, will be responsible for reviewing applications and determining if they meet local approval before they can be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education for federal approval.
For more information about Workforce Pell in Rhode Island, including the eligible occupations list and program application, visit www.riopc.edu/WorkforcePell or contact workforcepell@riopc.edu.
Date
