Statement of support for expanding Pell grants for short-term credentials

The 21st century economy requires new approaches to ensure all Americans have access to economic and educational opportunities.  As a collaborative of college and university presidents, the Presidents Forum fully supports expanding Pell Grants for short-term credentials, which H.R. 496, the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act., will do. Innovative, short-term credential programs are creating pathways to resilient careers that fit into the lives of all learners, but many of these programs are not currently accessible to students who rely on financial aid to finance their education. This bill addresses the lack of student aid for many of these emerging short-term credential programs that provide job-ready skills. This legislation recognizes the struggles that nontraditional learners, low-income learners, and learners of color face in balancing learning with earning and care-taking obligations. Educational opportunity should be measured by the value that it creates for learners, not whether it is demarcated by online, competency, clock, or credit hour.  We also appreciate the legislation’s emphasis on accountability: federal student aid funds must be accompanied by clear outcomes and transparency in order to protect learners and taxpayers and to ensure workforce alignment and high quality in higher education. We support our congressional leaders taking action to modernize higher education and the Presidents Forum urges Congress to take this meaningful step towards addressing the needs of learners and their families. Together, we can empower learners and help them gain valuable workforce credentials—tapping the full potential of our great nation.

Read the full thread here: https://twitter.com/PresidentsForum/status/1618747191841165315?s=20&t=pCui8SScW2JfNG0tqu0Ixg