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Find similar grantsIllinois Workforce Pell is sponsored by State of Illinois (administered by Illinois Community College Board). This new program expands on the federal Pell Grant by allowing eligible students to use grant funding for short-term workforce training programs aligned with in-demand occupations.
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Illinois Pell for Workforce Implementation This webpage, hosted by ICCB, is the central hub for all Illinois-specific Workforce Pell guidance and resources, in alignment and coordination with partner agencies. Workforce Pell is an expansion of the federal Pell Grant program that would allow eligible students to use Pell funding for high-quality, short-term workforce programs aligned with in-demand occupations.
Effective July 1, 2026, programs must meet criteria and specific performance outcomes for Governor and Secretary of Education approval. Illinois’ goal for Workforce Pell implementation is to maximize student access to high-quality short-term workforce programs and expanded financial aid, while maintaining consumer protections.
Thus, Illinois had added state-specific requirements for institutions and its programs to become eligible in order to fully realize this goal.
The development of this work was coordinated through an Interagency Steering Committee with representatives from the following education and workforce agencies, under the leadership of the Governor’s Office: Board of Higher Education Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Department of Employment Security Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Illinois Workforce Pell Program Approval Manual The Illinois Workforce Program Approval Process is accepting applications July 15- August 31, 2026.
Fill out the application here. The Illinois Workforce Pell Program Approval Manual provides guidance to eligible Illinois institutions of higher education on implementing the Workforce Pell program beginning in Academic Year 2026–27. Aligned with federal regulations, the manual establishes the requirements for the development, approval, and oversight of short-term workforce programs eligible for Pell Grant funding.
Its purpose is to help institutions effectively navigate all phases of participation—from program design and application through approval, compliance, and ongoing performance accountability—while ensuring alignment with state workforce priorities and federal requirements.
Illinois Workforce Pell Program Approval Manual (PDF) Appendix A: Eligible Occupations List (Excel) Appendix B: Application Elements (PDF) Appendix C: Supplemental Student-Level Data Template (Excel) Appendix D: Institutional Readiness Checklist (PDF) Community College CIP Enrollment Totals for Eligible Occupations, CIP and FY (Excel) Employer Validation Letter Template- Optional to the Use the Template (Word) Webinar: Walk-through of Illinois Workforce Pell Application July 21, 2026 from 1pm to 2pm Members of the Illinois team will provide an overview of the state Workforce Pell application during a webinar on Tuesday, July 21 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
Presenters will demonstrate the application, discuss its requirements, describe the processes for data collection and program approval, and share information on upcoming opportunities for additional technical assistance. Register for the webinar by going to this link. A recording will also be made available for those unable to participate.
Fill out this FORM to ask a question or pose a comment. Workforce Pell information Illinois Workforce Pell: Door to Opportunity Slide Deck (PDF) Illinois Workforce Pell: Door to Opportunity Webinar Recording (YouTube) Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) June 2nd Webinar information Financial Aid Listening Session 5. 12.
26 Recording (Webex) Financial Aid Listening Session 5. 12. 26 slide deck (PDF)
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Eligible students in Illinois for short-term workforce training programs. Institutions applying must demonstrate strong completion and job placement outcomes. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Applications for Illinois Workforce Pell are due August 31, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
Illinois Workforce Pell is funded by State of Illinois (administered by Illinois Community College Board). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Illinois. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
On July 1, 2026, federal Pell grants became available for short-term, non-degree training for the first time — a generational shift that changes the economics of workforce programs. Here is how Workforce Pell works, how the $65M SCC6 competitive grants fund the infrastructure to capture it, where it sits in DOL's $8B+ workforce ecosystem, and the strategy for colleges and training providers.
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