Saratoga, NY - Today, House Republican Chairwoman Elise Stefanik is proud to have secured her bipartisan Workforce Pell Grants provisions in the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, unlocking opportunities for students and workers looking to gain skills in high-demand fields by allowing Pell Grants to support students enrolled in high-quality short-term workforce programs that will lead to career advancement.

“I am proud to have led on expanding learning opportunities for the development of a skilled American workforce. The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill allows Pell Grants to be used for high-quality short-term programs that will help more Americans fill critical workforce gaps,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “Unlocking skills and development opportunities will help link workers with high-demand career fields in New York State and across the United States."

“Helping more qualified drivers get behind the wheel is essential to ensuring our industry can continue to deliver the nation’s freight safely and efficiently,” said American Trucking Associations SVP of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom. “By expanding Pell Grant flexibility to make short-term educational programs eligible, the Big Beautiful Bill will open the door of opportunity to more young people seeking rewarding, good-paying careers in trucking. ATA commends Congress for passing this important fix, and we thank Rep. Stefanik for her longstanding support of this effort to reduce barriers to one of the few professions that can provide a middle-class lifestyle without the time and expense of a four-year college degree.”

"Business Roundtable commends the inclusion of Workforce Pell Grants provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill," said Business Roundtable Vice President of Education & Workforce Donald McIntosh. "Expanding Pell Grant eligibility to include high-quality, short-term training programs will help more Americans develop in-demand skills and fill critical workforce gaps."

Background:

In 2023, Chairwoman Stefanik, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), and Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. Scott (D-VA) introduced the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act, where many original provisions were included in the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill.

The inclusion of Workforce Pell Grants provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill expands eligibility for Americans to include high-quality, short-term training programs that will ultimately help the United States develop in-demand skills and strengthen our workforce.

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