Workforce Pell Grant Program

Workforce Pell Grant Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Education (administered in Mississippi by AccelerateMS and Mississippi Office of Workforce Development). This new federal program allows eligible Pell Grant recipients to use federal aid for approved short-term workforce education programs (as short as eight weeks) offered by participating Title IV-eligible colleges and universities.

Workforce Pell - Accelerate MS Workforce Investment Board The new federal Workforce Pell Grant program will allow eligible Pell Grant recipients to use federal aid for approved short-term workforce education programs offered by participating Title IV-eligible colleges and universities.

Under federal requirements, eligible workforce programs may be as short as eight weeks and must prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs. Potentially Eligible Programs This working list identifies short-term workforce education and training programs currently offered by some Mississippi community colleges and institutions of higher education that may align with Workforce Pell eligibility requirements.

Programs included generally fall within the federal parameters for instructional length and duration, ranging from 150–599 clock hours and spanning approximately 8 to fewer than 15 weeks.

Potential Workforce Pell-Eligible Programs The Workforce Pell Toolkit was created to help Mississippi’s community colleges and institutions of higher education navigate the implementation of expanded Pell Grant eligibility for short-term workforce education and training programs.

The toolkit provides actionable resources, implementation strategies, compliance guidance, and supporting materials to assist institutions in developing and sustaining eligible programs that connect students to high-wage, high-demand career pathways. 1.

0 Workforce Pell Approval Requirements Section 481(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA), establishes the requirement that an eligible workforce program be approved by the Governor and the U.S. Secretary of Education before students may receive Workforce Pell Grant funds for enrollment in the program.

The final federal regulations implement this statutory framework through 34 CFR 690. 92, 690. 93, 690.

94, and 690. 95. Under the final regulations, prior to the Secretary’s evaluation of whether a program is an eligible workforce program, the Governor, after consultation with the State workforce development board, must approve the program by determining that the program satisfies the Governor approval requirements in 34 CFR 690.

93(a). The Governor must establish a publicly available process for institutions to request this determination. The process must identify the criteria the Governor will use to determine whether a program meets each required element and must describe the information institutions must submit for review.

Mississippi’s Workforce Pell Program Approval Process is designed to implement the Governor approval requirements for eligible workforce programs offered by eligible institutions located in MS. The process is intended to provide a transparent, consistent, and documented State review that supports Governor certification, Secretary evaluation, and continued program accountability.

Required Components of the Governor Approval Process Consistent with 34 CFR 690. 93, MS’s approval process includes written policies and procedures addressing the following required components: The State’s methodology to determine and periodically review which occupations and industry sectors are high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand, including the competencies needed in those industries and occupations.

The location where MS will make the list of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations and sectors publicly available. A periodic review of the State’s list and methodology not less than every two years, concurrent with the development and modification of the State Plan under Section 102(c) of WIOA.

A written policy for determining whether a program meets the hiring requirements of employers in the high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors or occupations for which the program prepares students. A process to determine whether the expected competencies associated with the recognized postsecondary credential align with the competencies needed by employers in the applicable sectors or occupations.

A process to incorporate direct employer input, which may be secured through the State board, local workforce development boards, industry or sector partnerships, sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship programs, joint labor-management partnerships, or other methodologies established by MS. A written policy for determining whether a recognized postsecondary credential is stackable and portable, including documented connections to additional credentials, consideration of real-time labor market information, available data showing whether students obtain additional credentials through career pathways, and employer validation.

A written policy for institutions to establish that an eligible workforce program ensures that, after a student successfully completes the eligible workforce program and subsequently enrolls in a related certificate or degree program, the student may receive academic credit for the Workforce Pell program toward at least one certificate or degree program at one or more eligible institutions.

A requirement that such academic credit be accepted at one or more eligible institutions through written agreements or other documented arrangements, including articulation agreements, transfer-of-credit agreements, consortium or partnership agreements, prior learning assessment processes, competency crosswalks, or similar arrangements.

The information institutions must submit to the Governor or the Governor’s designee to allow the State to assess whether the program satisfies the required criteria, including information needed to support completion-rate and job-placement-rate review, where applicable. A timeline for consultation with the State board and for the Governor’s determination on whether the program meets the applicable requirements.

An appeal process for institutions that includes clear, transparent, and timely procedures applied consistently and equitably across eligible institutions. An attestation that State board consultation occurred as part of the Governor approval process. State Review and Secretary Evaluation MS’s approval process recognizes that Governor approval and Secretary approval are separate but connected requirements.

The Governor’s certification documents the State’s determination that the program satisfies the Governor approval requirements in 34 CFR 690. 93. Governor certification does not, by itself, establish federal Workforce Pell eligibility.

After the Governor has approved the eligible workforce program, the Secretary evaluates documentation submitted by the eligible institution to determine whether the program satisfies the federal requirements determined by the Secretary, including the program length requirements in 34 CFR 690. 92(a) and (b), the completion-rate and job-placement-rate requirements in 34 CFR 690. 94, and the value-added earnings requirements in 34 CFR 690.

95. For each award year after approval, the institution must submit to the Governor a list of students who completed the program during the award year and the information necessary for the Governor to verify the job placement rate. The institution must also report the program’s published tuition and fees through the process determined by the Secretary.

MS’s approval process does not establish an interim value-added earnings test and does not substitute a State-calculated value-added earnings amount for the value-added earnings amount determined by the Secretary. Under 34 CFR 690.

95, the Secretary calculates and publishes the value-added earnings amount that applies to an eligible workforce program for the upcoming award year no later than three months before the beginning of that award year, once sufficient cohort and earnings data are available.

Before the Secretary makes the initial value-added earnings determination for a program, the Governor’s certification must take into consideration the cost of the program and the anticipated wages of the industry or occupation.

Once the Secretary publishes the applicable value-added earnings amount, the institution must keep the program’s published tuition and fees at or below the published value-added earnings amount for the applicable award year and must provide evidence to the Secretary upon request.

MS’s Workforce Pell Program Policy Mississippi’s Workforce Pell Program Policy for the 2026-2027 award year establishes the State process to identify, review, and recommend short-term workforce training programs for Governor approval under the federal Workforce Pell Grant provisions.

The policy supports MS’s implementation of Workforce Pell for eligible programs beginning with the 2026-2027 award year, including any early implementation permitted under the final federal regulations. The policy balances three primary aims: Align eligible workforce programs with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations and industry sectors identified through MS’s workforce and labor market processes.

Ensure program quality and accountability by requiring eligible programs to lead to a recognized postsecondary credential, support a documented academic-credit pathway that applies after successful completion of the Workforce Pell program and subsequent enrollment in a related certificate or degree program, and satisfy applicable completion, job placement, and value-added earnings requirements.

Provide a transparent and consistent approval process for institutions, employers, State partners, and learners. MS adopts and incorporates the federal Workforce Pell requirements by reference and will administer the State approval process consistent with applicable federal statute, final regulations, and guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education.

Workforce Pell Implementation Committee The Governor’s Workforce Pell Implementation Committee supports the development and implementation of MS’s process for reviewing eligible workforce programs for Governor approval.

The Committee’s work is grounded in the final federal Workforce Pell regulations and is intended to ensure that MS’s approval process is consistent, transparent, workforce-aligned, and supported by documentation sufficient for State certification and federal review.

The Committee’s responsibilities include supporting the development of policies, criteria, procedures, and documentation tools related to: Identification of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations and industry sectors in MS. Employer validation and alignment with hiring requirements. Review of recognized postsecondary credentials for stackability and portability.

Academic-credit pathways, including articulation, transfer-of-credit, consortium, partnership, prior learning assessment, competency crosswalk, or similar written agreements or arrangements. Completion-rate and job-placement-rate documentation and verification processes. Program cost and anticipated wage considerations before the Secretary’s initial value-added earnings determination.

Governor certification, continued approval, public transparency, and institutional appeal procedures. The Committee’s recommendations inform MS’s approval process but do not replace the Governor’s certification role, the State board consultation requirement, or the Secretary’s final federal approval process.

The Governor or the Governor’s designee retains responsibility for certifying whether a program satisfies the Governor approval requirements, and the Secretary retains responsibility for evaluating the program for federal Workforce Pell eligibility.

Pursuant to Section 481(b)(3)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Section 83002(b) of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA), and the implementing regulations under 34 CFR parts 600, 668, and 690, this policy establishes MS’s process for reviewing eligible workforce programs for State approval and Governor certification.

The federal Workforce Pell framework authorizes Pell Grant eligibility for qualifying short-term undergraduate programs that meet federal program-length, quality, workforce-alignment, accountability, and approval requirements.

This policy applies to Title IV-eligible postsecondary institutions seeking State approval for eligible workforce programs offered in MS or serving learners located in MS. For programs offered through distance education to students located outside the State in which the institution is located, the institution must comply with applicable federal requirements, including any required bilateral agreement between Governors.

Eligible workforce programs may not include correspondence courses, study-abroad coursework, or direct assessment coursework. Pursuant to federal Workforce Pell requirements under 34 CFR 690. 93, the Governor of MS, after consultation with the State board, must approve an eligible workforce program before the Secretary evaluates the program for federal Workforce Pell approval.

In MS, the Governor may designate the Office of Workforce Development, known as AccelerateMS, to coordinate or administer the State review process, subject to the Governor’s final certification and applicable federal requirements.

This policy governs the State Workforce Pell program determination process and establishes the criteria, procedures, documentation requirements, timelines, and appeal procedures MS will use to review whether a program is eligible for State approval before Governor certification and subsequent submission to the U.S. Department of Education. Governor approval and Secretary approval are separate but connected requirements.

The Governor’s certification documents the State determination that the program satisfies the Governor approval requirements. The Governor’s certification does not, by itself, establish federal Workforce Pell eligibility. After Governor approval, the eligible institution is responsible for submitting the program and required documentation to the Secretary through the process established by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Secretary then determines whether the program satisfies federal Workforce Pell eligibility requirements. MS adopts and incorporates the U.S. Department of Education’s final Workforce Pell rules and guidance, including the final regulations codified in 34 CFR parts 600, 668, and 690.

MS will revise definitions, forms, procedures, and review tools as needed to remain aligned with final federal regulations, Department guidance, and any subsequent operational instructions issued by the U.S. Department of Education. Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to create an independent State value-added earnings threshold or interim State value-added earnings test.

The value-added earnings amount applicable to an eligible workforce program is determined by the Secretary in accordance with federal law, regulation, and Department methodology.

Policy Statement: This section establishes Mississippi’s written policy for determining whether a proposed program satisfies the State and federal eligibility requirements for Workforce Pell program approval, including institutional eligibility, program length, workforce alignment, credential requirements, academic credit, completion, job placement or employment outcomes, and value-added earnings requirements when applicable.

To qualify for State approval and Governor certification, a program must satisfy all applicable federal Workforce Pell requirements and any additional State review requirements established through MS’s approval process. A program must also be submitted by an eligible institution and must be reviewed under the publicly available State process established for Workforce Pell program determinations.

An eligible institution is a Title IV-eligible postsecondary institution that offers, or seeks to offer, a program that meets the federal definition of an eligible workforce program. Institutions seeking State approval must provide documentation sufficient for MS to determine whether the program satisfies the Governor approval requirements and is appropriate for submission to the Secretary for federal Workforce Pell approval.

General Program Requirements To be considered for State approval, a proposed eligible workforce program must meet all applicable federal requirements, including, but not limited to, the following: The program must be an undergraduate program offered by an eligible institution. The program must include at least 150 clock hours but fewer than 600 clock hours of instruction, or an equivalent number of credit hours.

For credit-hour programs, the program must include at least 4 but no more than 15 semester or trimester hours, or at least 6 but fewer than 24 quarter hours, as applicable under federal requirements. The program must be at least 8 weeks but less than 15 weeks of instructional time.

The program must have satisfied the applicable program-length and instructional-time requirements for the 12-month period immediately preceding the institution’s application for program eligibility, as required by federal regulation. The program must not include correspondence courses, study-abroad coursework, or direct assessment coursework.

The eligible institution must not be subject to any suspension, emergency action, or termination action by the Secretary during the five years preceding the date of the determination, as applicable under federal requirements. Workforce Alignment Requirements The program must provide education aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations identified through MS’s approved methodology.

MS’s methodology shall include the competencies needed in those industries and occupations and shall be reviewed periodically, not less than every two years, concurrent with development or modification of the State Plan under Section 102(c) of WIOA.

To support the State determination, the institution must submit program-level documentation demonstrating alignment with MS’s approved priority occupations or sectors and must identify the occupations or industry sectors for which the program prepares students for employment.

Employer Hiring Requirements The program must meet the hiring requirements of potential employers in the high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors or occupations for which the program prepares students. The review shall consider whether the competencies associated with the recognized postsecondary credential align with employer-identified competencies needed for employment in the applicable sectors or occupations.

The State determination must incorporate direct input from employers.

Employer input may be obtained through the State board, local workforce development boards, industry or sector partnerships, sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship programs, joint labor-management partnerships, employer advisory councils, direct employer validation, or other methodologies established by MS. The program must lead to a recognized postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable, or must prepare students for employment in an occupation for which there is only one recognized postsecondary credential.

The State review shall consider whether the credential is recognized by employers, supports employment in the applicable sector or occupation, and can reasonably support student progression along a career pathway. For credentials represented as stackable and portable, the institution must provide documentation showing connections to additional credentials, career pathway opportunities, employer recognition, and labor market relevance.

The State review may consider real-time labor market information, credential attainment data, employer validation, and other available evidence showing whether students can use the credential to advance to additional training, education, or employment opportunities.

Academic Credit Requirement The program must ensure that, after a student successfully completes the eligible workforce program and subsequently enrolls in a related certificate or degree program, the student may receive academic credit for the Workforce Pell program toward at least one certificate or degree program at one or more eligible institutions.

The institution must provide written documentation demonstrating that the academic-credit pathway is specific, documented, operational, and accessible to students.

Acceptable documentation may include articulation agreements, transfer-of-credit agreements, consortium agreements, partnership agreements, academic crosswalks, prior learning assessment procedures, competency mappings, or similar written arrangements that identify the amount or type of academic credit, advanced standing, articulated coursework, or other credit recognition available and the certificate or degree program to which it applies.

Completion and Job Placement Requirements An eligible workforce program must meet applicable completion-rate and job-placement-rate requirements before approval and for each year after approval, unless waived or modified by the Secretary as permitted under federal regulation.

For completion, the program must demonstrate that at least 70 percent of program participants complete the program within 150 percent of the program’s normal time to completion. Completion-rate calculations must use the applicable cohort methodology and allowable exclusions established by federal law, regulation, and Department guidance.

For job placement or employment, the program must demonstrate that at least 70 percent of program completers are employed during the second full calendar quarter after program exit. MS may use administrative data, such as unemployment insurance wage records, and where available, interstate wage records or other approved data sources to verify employment outcomes.

The institution must provide information necessary for MS to make the required job-placement calculations using administrative data. Value-Added Earnings Requirement An eligible workforce program must satisfy the federal value-added earnings requirement once the Secretary publishes a value-added earnings amount for the program.

The program’s published tuition and required fees may not exceed the value-added earnings amount determined by the Secretary for the applicable award year. During the initial implementation period, MS shall not apply an interim value-added earnings test or substitute a State-calculated value-added earnings amount for the amount determined by the Secretary.

The institution must report published tuition and fees through the process established by the Secretary and maintain documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance once the Secretary publishes the applicable value-added earnings amount.

For purposes of the value-added earnings calculation, the earnings cohort is determined under federal requirements and includes only qualifying completers who received a Pell Grant for enrollment in the eligible workforce program, are working during the applicable earnings measurement period, and are not enrolled in any educational program at the time of the calculation.

Completers who are not working and completers who are enrolled in any educational program at the time of the calculation are excluded from the value-added earnings cohort used to determine adjusted median earnings. Programs Serving Students Through Distance Education Eligible workforce programs are not categorically prohibited from being offered through distance education.

However, if an eligible institution offers a Workforce Pell program through distance education to students located in another State, the institution must comply with applicable federal requirements, including any required bilateral agreement between the Governors of the States involved.

MS’s approval process shall be applied in a manner that preserves the federal requirement that the Governor assess whether the program meets State, regional, or local workforce needs. Institutional Submission Requirements Eligible institutions must submit program-level data and supporting documentation sufficient for MS to determine whether the proposed program meets State and federal Workforce Pell requirements.

Required documentation may include, but is not limited to: Program name, credential, Classification of Instructional Programs code, Standard Occupational Classification code or codes, and program length. Clock-hour or credit-hour breakdown and documented program outline, including a detailed outline for noncredit programs. Evidence of alignment with MS’s high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations or industry sectors.

Employer validation showing that the program meets hiring requirements and aligns with employer-needed competencies. Documentation that the credential is stackable and portable, or that the occupation has only one recognized postsecondary credential.

Written academic-credit agreements or similar documentation showing how, after successful completion of the eligible workforce program and subsequent enrollment in a related certificate or degree program, a student may receive academic credit, advanced standing, articulated coursework, prior learning assessment credit, or other credit recognition toward at least one certificate or degree program at one or more eligible institutions.

Completion-rate data and supporting documentation demonstrating whether the program meets the 70 percent completion standard within 150 percent of normal time. Job-placement or employment data and supporting documentation needed for MS to verify whether the program meets the 70 percent employment standard during the second full calendar quarter after program exit.

Published tuition and required fee information to support federal reporting and value-added earnings compliance once the Secretary publishes the applicable value-added earnings amount. Any additional documentation required by the Governor, the Governor’s designee, the State board consultation process, or the Secretary. State and Federal Approval State approval is required before Secretary evaluation.

If the Governor or the Governor’s designated entity determines that the program satisfies the State approval requirements, the Governor or designee shall issue the required certification of approval. The institution is then responsible for submitting the Governor certification and all other required documentation to the U.S. Department of Education through the process established by the Secretary.

Federal Workforce Pell eligibility is not established until the Secretary approves the program. A program may not be treated as federally eligible for Workforce Pell solely on the basis of State approval or Governor certification.

Policy Statement: This section establishes Mississippi’s written policy and process for Governor review, consultation with the State Workforce Investment Board, State determination, Governor certification, public posting, and institutional submission to the U.S. Department of Education for federal Workforce Pell program approval.

Federal Workforce Pell requirements require the Governor, after consultation with the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB), to establish a publicly available process through which an eligible institution may request a determination that a proposed eligible workforce program meets the Governor approval requirements.

In MS, the Governor has designated the Office of Workforce Development (AccelerateMS) to administer the State review process and coordinate the documentation, consultation, and recommendation process prior to the Governor’s certification.

The approval process is intended to ensure that each proposed Workforce Pell program is aligned with MS’s workforce needs, meets federal and State program-quality requirements, and provides sufficient documentation for the institution to submit the program to the U.S. Department of Education for the Secretary’s separate federal approval.

Publicly Available Process and Criteria MS shall maintain a publicly available process that identifies the criteria, documentation requirements, review procedures, timelines, and appeal procedures used to determine whether a proposed eligible workforce program satisfies the Governor approval requirements.

The publicly available process shall include, at a minimum: The State’s methodology for determining and periodically reviewing which occupations and industry sectors are high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand in MS. The location where the State’s list of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations and industry sectors will be made publicly available.

The process for periodically reviewing and updating the State’s methodology and list not less than every two years, concurrent with development or modification of the State Plan under section 102(c) of WIOA. The criteria and documentation the State will use to determine whether a program provides education aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors or occupations.

The criteria and documentation the State will use to determine whether a program meets the hiring requirements of employers in the relevant sectors or occupations.

The criteria and documentation the State will use to determine whether a recognized postsecondary credential is stackable and portable, or whether the program prepares students for employment in an occupation for which there is only one recognized postsecondary credential and provides that credential upon program completion.

The criteria and documentation the State will use to determine whether the program ensures that, after successful completion of the eligible workforce program and subsequent enrollment in a related certificate or degree program, the student may receive academic credit for the Workforce Pell program toward at least one certificate or degree program at one or more eligible institutions.

The information an institution must submit to allow the State to review completion-rate, job-placement or employment-rate, program cost, and anticipated wage information required for Governor certification and continued review. The timeline for State review, SWIB consultation, Governor determination, and notification to the institution.

A clear, transparent, timely, and consistently applied appeal process for institutions that disagree with a State determination. An attestation process confirming that consultation with SWIB occurred as part of the Governor approval process.

Institutional Request for State Determination An eligible institution seeking State approval for a proposed Workforce Pell program shall submit a complete program application to AccelerateMS, or other entity designated by the Governor, in the manner and format established by the State.

The application must provide sufficient evidence for MS to determine whether the proposed program meets the Governor approval requirements and is appropriate for submission to the Secretary for federal Workforce Pell approval. A complete institutional request shall include documentation sufficient to demonstrate: Alignment with MS’s high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations or industry sectors.

How the program’s curriculum, competencies, and credential align with the requirements of the relevant occupation or industry sector.

How the program meets employer hiring requirements and addresses documented workforce needs in MS. Direct employer input supporting the program, which may include input from SWIB, local workforce development boards, industry or sector partnerships, Registered Apprenticeship Program sponsors, joint labor-management partnerships, or other State-approved employer validation methods.

Whether the recognized postsecondary credential is stackable and portable across more than one employer, or whether the occupation has only one recognized postsecondary credential and the program provides that credential upon completion.

How, after successful completion of the eligible workforce program and subsequent enrollment in a related certificate or degree program, a student may receive academic credit, advanced standing, articulated coursework, prior learning assessment credit, or other credit recognition toward at least one certificate or degree program at one or more eligible institutions.

Published tuition and required fees, program cost information, and anticipated wage information for the occupation or industry sector for which the program prepares students. Completion-rate and job-placement or employment-rate data, or other documentation required during the initial implementation period, consistent with federal requirements and State procedures.

Any additional documentation required by the Governor, AccelerateMS, SWIB consultation process, or the Secretary.

In reviewing an institutional request for State determination, MS shall evaluate whether the proposed eligible workforce program satisfies the following criteria: The program provides education aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations identified through MS’s approved methodology.

The program meets the hiring requirements of employers in the sectors or occupations for which the program prepares students for employment. The expected competencies associated with the recognized postsecondary credential align with the competencies needed in the relevant high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors or occupations.

The program leads to a recognized postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable, or prepares students for employment in an occupation for which there is only one recognized postsecondary credential and provides that credential upon program completion.

The program ensures that, after a student successfully completes the eligible workforce program and subsequently enrolls in a related certificate or degree program, the student may receive academic credit for the Workforce Pell program toward at least one certificate or degree program at one or more eligible institutions.

The program provides documentation sufficient for MS to review completion-rate and job-placement or employment-rate requirements using administrative data, wage records, employer verification, or other approved methods, as applicable.

Prior to the Secretary’s initial determination of value-added earnings for the program, the Governor’s certification takes into consideration both the cost of the program and the anticipated wages associated with the relevant industry sector or occupation. The program satisfies all other applicable federal and State Workforce Pell requirements.

The Governor’s approval process shall include consultation with SWIB before the Governor makes a determination on whether a proposed eligible workforce program meets the Governor approval requirements. AccelerateMS shall coordinate the consultation process and maintain documentation showing that SWIB consultation occurred.

SWIB consultation may include review of labor market alignment, employer demand, credential value, program cost and anticipated wage information, and any other information necessary to support the Governor’s determination. The State approval record shall include an attestation or other documentation confirming that SWIB consultation occurred.

Program Cost and Anticipated Wage Review Prior to Initial VAE Determination Before the Secretary makes the initial value-added earnings determination for a program under federal requirements, the Governor’s certification must take into consideration the cost of the program and the anticipated wages associated with the relevant industry sector or occupation for which the program prepares students.

This review does not establish an interim State value-added earnings test and does not substitute a State-calculated value-added earnings amount for the value-added earnings amount determined by the Secretary. During the initial implementation period, MS shall not apply an interim value-added earnings pass/fail threshold unless required by federal law, regulation, or Department guidance.

The State’s review of program cost and anticipated wages is used to support the Governor certification process until the Secretary publishes an official value-added earnings amount for the program.

Governor Certification and Institutional Submission to the Secretary If the State review process determines that the proposed eligible workforce program satisfies the Governor approval requirements, the Governor or the Governor’s designated entity shall issue a certification of approval to the institution.

The certification shall document the State’s determination that the program meets the Governor approval requirements and shall identify any conditions, limitations, or documentation requirements associated with State approval. The Governor’s certification does not, by itself, establish federal Workforce Pell eligibility.

Following receipt of the Governor’s certification, the institution is responsible for submitting the eligible workforce program, the Governor certification, and all other required documentation to the U.S. Department of Education through the process established by the Secretary. Federal Workforce Pell eligibility is established only after the Secretary approves the program.

Public Posting and Recordkeeping MS shall make the Governor approval process, criteria,