Governor reviews short-term programs for Workforce Pell Grants

The Governor decides whether each short-term program meets state and federal rules and approves it for Workforce Pell Grants. A short-term program must have at least 150 but fewer than 600 hours of instruction, last at least 8 but fewer than 15 weeks, and not be a correspondence course. The Governor consults the Governor’s Workforce Development Board and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. A college must get the Governor’s approval and a determination from the U.S. Education Secretary for each program before sending grant funds to Maryland students or advertising those funds in the state. Colleges must verify compliance every two years to keep approval. The Governor must revoke approval if the Attorney General or a court finds a related unfair, deceptive, or abusive trade practice. The law took effect June 1, 2026. Colleges must verify continued compliance every two years to keep approval.

A college operating an approved short-term program may not use certain outside teaching partners, partner on student loans except at 0% interest, charge above the maximum Pell Grant, or use nontransferable courses. These rules apply to colleges operating short-term programs approved under this section. A college may use an unaccredited outside teaching partner only if it is a registered joint apprenticeship committee or the partner meets disclosure and independence rules. Accredited instruction is not covered by this restriction. Noncredit courses are allowed only if they transfer to at least one college, even if the student does not finish the program. The law took effect June 1, 2026.

A registered apprenticeship program approved for Workforce Pell Grants must include workplace and classroom learning, with faculty oversight and ways to assess students’ skills. This applies to registered apprenticeship programs approved for Workforce Pell Grants. The law took effect June 1, 2026.