Kristin Hultquist Featured in AGB’s Trusteeship Magazine Discussing the Opportunities and Concerns Behind Workforce Pell

Workforce Pell Grant program was created as a part of broader higher education changes made in the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Beginning in July 2026, it expands eligibility for the Pell program to short-term programs aligned to in-demand occupations and leading to employment, serving those who seek more limited education or training before heading into employment. In the Association of Governing Board’s Trusteeship Magazine article ‘Expanding Financial Aid: Workforce Pell on the Horizon’, CEO Kristin Hultquist highlights the requirements driving Workforce Pell eligibility, the responsibility of boards to meet these requirements, and the need for stakeholders to work together to ensure valuable outcomes for students.

Some of the main concerns regarding Workforce Pell is not only which programs will qualify, but when. Program eligibility is tied to outcome tests: show 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and pass a value-added earnings test. States will be responsible for developing data systems to capture of labor market outcomes for  short-term postsecondary programs and setting up approval process for programs. Institutions with programs expected to qualify for funding are expected to be limited in the near term due to federal and state implementation challenges. Leaders also worry that extensive compliance requirements could be counterproductive—creating narrow pathways to employment based on current labor market trends, and not accounting for the future of the state's workforce or the genuine career interests of students.

Kristin asserts that there is a logical order in which institutions and states should work together to address these concerns and meet student needs. “Trustees need to be asking, ‘How are we engaging with our state workforce board and the governor’s office in developing the new program recognition process?’” she notes, “And finally, we [the higher education institution] directors have to say ‘Okay, where, given the ecosystem in the state, do we think we uniquely have the ability to fill a gap, and how do we stand it up with employers and financing and then student outreach?’”

➡️ Read the article here.