The newest iteration of the Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act was introduced on February 4th by Senators Kaine, Collins, Smith and Marshall. Currently, Pell Grants can only be used for traditional two and four-year college programs. This expansion would allow students to use these grants for quality training programs that are at least 8 weeks long and lead to industry-recognized credentials.
Key aspects of the proposed changes:
- Programs must be at least 150 clock hours over 8+ weeks
- Training must align with local workforce needs
- Programs must provide credentials recognized by employers
- Credits can transfer toward further education
This expansion could help address the current skilled labor shortage while making career training more accessible to students who need financial assistance. “This bill is good for workers, good for employers, and good for our economy as a whole” said Senator Tim Kaine.
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